New $500k mobility fund for disabled, elderly

New $500k mobility fund for disabled, elderly
PHOTO: New $500k mobility fund for disabled, elderly

SINGAPORE - A new three-year South West Mobility Fund of $500,000 is to be introduced to assist over 2,000 elderly and disabled residents in the South West district, announced the South West Community Development Council (CDC).

The fund, to start in May this year, aims to help those with a monthly household income of $2,500 or lower get financial assistance for their transport costs for medical appointments and rehabilitative treatment, as well as for wheelchairs and walking aids.

The fund will also reach out to residents who do not qualify for subsidies under current national schemes.

Needy residents will be assisted through taxi vouchers and direct subsidy given to the transport providers managed by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and other organisations.

Beneficiaries can have up to $200 of their yearly public transportation expenses covered, for example, for taking taxis for rehabilitative treatments.

Under the subsidy scheme, each resident will receive up to $600 per year to cover transportation costs incurred.

A new retrofitted vehicle that comes with a wheelchair lifter is also now available to residents, thanks to community recycling efforts that raised $60,000 for the vehicle.

The vehicle, which is to ferry elderly to the St Luke's Eldercare Centre in Clementi to receive rehabilitative treatment, was acquired with the help from sponsors Koh Kock Leong Construction Pte Ltd, Sumitomo Chemical Asia Pte Ltd and Lee Foundation.

The effort saw 3,000 residents contributing 50 tons of recyclables, which was matched by the corporate partners' donations to the vehicle.

"These initiatives are aimed at creating an inclusive and barrier-free environment for the beneficiaries so that some can remain as active and as mobile as possible whilst others can receive proper healthcare." said Mayor Amy Khor.

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