SINGAPORE – More is being done to help people with disabilities get jobs after they turn 18 and graduate from special education schools.

Under Budget 2025, employers will get more support to offset the wages of people with disabilities, with the Enabling Employment Credit extended till end-2028.

The scheme, originally set up to run from 2021 to 2025, provides up to 20 per cent wage support for workers with disabilities earning below $4,000 per month. This is capped at $400 a month per worker.

Companies that hire people with disabilities who have not been working for at least six months get an extra 20 per cent in wage offsets, capped at $400 a month per worker for the first nine months.

In his Budget speech on Feb 18, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted that the Government’s investments in early intervention and special education have laid “good foundations” in supporting people with disabilities.

But many parents worry about what happens after their children turn 18 and graduate from the structured environment of a special education school, he said.

PM Wong said those progressing to work may need more support to build up their work readiness and adjust to their workplace.

He cited the experience of Ms Sharlyne Lee, who graduated from St Andrew’s Autism School in 2021.

Ms Lee, 21, underwent three months of employment training in housekeeping and soft skills under SG Enable’s School-to-Work Transition Programme in 2022.

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The programme helped her to secure a nine-month internship at Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home as a general housekeeping assistant. At the end of the internship, Ms Lee was offered full-time employment.

Ms Lee said the programme helped her build skills such as sanitising and cleaning surfaces, as well as in interpersonal communication.

Her job coach and supervisor created work schedules and visual cues to help her understand the work.

The job coach also worked with Ms Lee’s parents to help Ms Lee practise her tasks at home and regulate her emotions.

Ms Lee, whose responsibilities include preparing food and doing laundry, said: “I am happy and proud to be able to contribute to taking care of the residents.”

PM Wong added: “We will also do more for those with higher care needs, who need a more structured environment beyond school to stay active.”

He said the issue of post-18 pathways will be studied “comprehensively” with stakeholders in a “multi-year endeavour”, with more details to be given during upcoming debates on the various ministries’ budgets.

People with disabilities will also get higher subsidies for adult disability services, with the Government to raise the maximum qualifying per capita household income so more people can get these subsidies.

The Matched Retirement Savings Scheme will also be expanded to include eligible Singaporeans with disabilities of all ages to help them save for retirement early.

This scheme currently provides a dollar-for-dollar matching grant for cash top-ups made to seniors’ Central Provident Fund Retirement Accounts, up to a cap of $2,000 per year.

For lower- and middle-income caregivers of people with disabilities, the Government will also provide a dollar-for-dollar matching grant for top-ups to their trust accounts with the Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC), up to $10,000.

This is to encourage families to plan ahead for their child’s future care needs, said PM Wong.

SNTC is the only non-profit organisation set up to provide trust services for persons with disabilities. It is supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

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PM Wong said the Government is taking concrete steps to strengthen Singapore’s social support system.

“In this Budget, l have focused on families, seniors and their long-term care needs, and persons with disabilities. But we will continue to review and update other policy areas over time,” he said.

“This is the Government’s key priority. Because we want to build a Singapore where we have each other’s backs, where no one is left behind, and we continue to stay strong and united as one people.”