Hardship Assistance Scheme The objective of this Hardship Assistant Scheme is to help eligible SMOU members and/or their families with outright cash grants or regular monthly cash aids in the event of their experiencing financial crisis or hardship in accordance with the conditions set down below. Eligibility / Criteria • A full paying SMOU member with at least 5 years continuous membership and a Singapore resident. • Must be the sole breadwinner with a total family income not exceeding S$2,800 per month or per capita income in the family not exceeding $725 per month (whichever is lower). • Assistance is to be in the form of a one-in-a-lifetime grant to members or their families who face severe financial hardship arising member’s death or permanent/total disability or chronic illness that prevents the full-time employment of the member or Natural Calamity. • The maximum grant shall not exceed $3,000 and is to be paid in a lump sum or in installments at the discretion of the Executive Committee. • Applicants for assistance must furnish full details of the family hardship situation with documentary proof wherever needed, subject to checks and investigative visits by union officials. • Recommendation by a Welfare Committee on a case-by-case basis the amount of grant, period of help and form of help (i.e cash or voucher) subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. • The Executive Committee shall have the absolute discretion to waive any or all of the above criterion as it deems fit in consideration of the applicant’s special extenuating circumstances. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final.
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