THE Ministry of Finance (MOF) issued a statement yesterday to clarify the public's misunderstanding of the rebates given out to all HDB households to offset their utilities bills.

 

It said that the amount a household gets in U-Save rebates depends on the type of flat lived in, not the size of the household.

 

The rebate ranges from $180 to $260 a year for each household, with families in one- and two-room flats getting more.

 

Letters had gone out to individual members of the public this week, informing them how much in terms of rebates their households would get.

 

The ministry emphasised that the amount stated in each individual's letter is what the household as an entity would receive; the amount should not be calculated by adding up the stated rebate amount in each household member's letter.

 

The rebate is being handed out from this month, and will be given out each January and July.

 

Also in the letter individuals received this week are details of the amount eligible Singaporeans will get in GST Vouchers-Cash and GST Vouchers-Medisave.

 

Like the U-Save rebates, GSTV-Cash and GSTV-Medisave are components of the Government's GSTV plan, unveiled in February as cushions against living expenses for lower- and middle-income households.

 

GSTV-Cash and GSTV-Medisave are paid out to individuals, not households.

 

A ministry spokesman said: 'We have taken into account the feedback... and will ensure that letters in future years make the distinction between individual and household benefits especially clear.'