SINGAPORE: A divorced mum of two recently shared on social media that she’s at a crossroads after finding out that her domestic helper might be deported.
In a post on the r/singaporefi Reddit forum, the mum explained that she hired the helper only a few months ago because she needed to switch from part-time to full-time work to cover all her and her children’s living expenses.
“I have no financial support from ex-husband for at least this year. He’s in prison. Will be released end of this year. And my part-time job wasn’t sufficient enough especially since I’m also paying credit card debt.
“And so, I hired and appealed to MOM to allow me to hire a helper (my salary and my house, a 2-room flat, was not eligible) so I can have a full time job to support my kids,” she wrote.
However, the mum said that just as she finally managed to land a job after two months of relentlessly search, she received an unexpected and distressing letter from the police.
“My helper got arrested for assisting an unlicensed moneylender after she can’t pay them back. I only knew when I received the letter from the police. I bailed her out and her next visit to the police station is in 3 weeks time. She may get deported. I’m starting my FT job this week. I’m confused what to do now,” she lamented.
Clueless about her next steps, she reached out to the Reddit community for advice.
“Should I search for transfer helper now, not sure if I’m still eligible to have one. Or should I quit and work part time again? My finances are bad and really difficult to budget my pay specially if I dont work FT job. My youngest is just 2 yrs old. My preschool and childcare is heavily subsidised but I’m not eligible for comcare if I have FT job. I also can’t find any online job. How do I survive without FT job?”
“I hope you manage to resolve your issues.”
The mum’s post quickly gained traction on the platform, with many Reddit users expressing empathy and offering advice.
One Singaporean Redditor suggested, “Send both kids for childcare and continue ft job. School-based Student Care Centres (SCCs) provide you with an alternative care arrangement for your child. Your child can go from their classrooms to the SCC without leaving the school. All primary schools have a school-based SCC.”
Another Redditor recommended reaching out to family service centres, where she could consult with a social worker who might be able to help with her specific circumstances.
She said, “They [the social workers] will probably have the knowledge to point you to the best places to receive help based on your unique situation, and/or advise you accordingly if they can help you. All the best, I hope you manage to resolve your issues.”
When it came to her financial concerns, particularly the credit card debt, one Redditor gave her a piece of practical advice.
He said, “On the financial side, you should approach Credit Counselling Singapore as they help to restructure credit card debts. But you should also be realistic about the repayments.
“In some cases, bankruptcy is better than continuing to pay, if there is actually no realistic pathway to repayment in a reasonable time period – avoiding bankruptcy actually just drags your problems longer. Of course bankruptcy is a bad thing due to all the restrictions placed on you, but if it will happen anyway, it’s better to have it happen earlier so you can have a fresh start sooner rather than later.”
Where to seek help
If you are facing financial difficulties and struggling to cover your own and your children’s basic living expenses, you can seek assistance from the Social Service Offices (SSOs) in your area. SSOs provide financial aid through ComCare Assistance schemes, which are designed to support individuals and families in need.
Criteria
To qualify for assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria:
-You must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident (at least one immediate family member in the same household must be a Singapore citizen).
-You have little or no family support, savings, or assets to sustain daily needs.
-You are actively looking for work or temporarily unable to work due to illness or caregiving responsibilities (e.g., taking care of children, elderly parents, or other dependents).
-Your monthly household income per capita is $800 or below. If your income is above this amount, you can still seek help from an SSO if you’re facing financial difficulties. The SSOs will evaluate your household’s overall situation, including employment, family circumstances, and financial needs, to provide holistic assistance tailored to your situation.
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