Guides

How Singapore's help system works

Most help in Singapore is run by a small set of offices, not by individual schemes. Knowing which office to walk into saves a lot of time.

These guides explain what each office does, who it's for, what to bring, and what to expect when you get there.

• GATEWAY

  Social Service Office (SSO)

  Where to go when money is tight or things have just gone wrong.

• GATEWAY

  Family Service Centre (FSC)

  Free, confidential help with the things that don't fit a single scheme.

• ELDERCARE

  AIC Link

  The starting point for caring for an older parent or grandparent.

• JOBS

  e2i Career Connect

  Where to walk in if you've just lost a job or want to change careers.

• HEALTH

  CHAS card

  Cheaper visits to GPs, dentists, and specialists if your household income qualifies.

• LOCAL

  Community Development Council (CDC)

  The local-government layer between you and the big national agencies.