Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Utilities Bill Arrears

Question:

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the percentage of households with utility bill arrears has increased over the past five years; and (b) how will the Ministry ensure that lower-income households with utility arrears are well supported so that their electricity and water supplies are not disrupted.

Answer: 

Over the past five years, the percentage of households with utility bills in arrears for six months or more have decreased from about 0.5% to 0.2%.

The Government provides targeted support to those who may require assistance with their utilities bills. Eligible lower- and middle-income HDB households enjoy U-save rebates to help offset utilities expenses. Resident households that require additional financial assistance can tap on various community and social assistance schemes.  

For households with more severe arrears, water supply will not be shut off. Instead, flow restrictors are installed to reduce the flow rate of water to these premises, and normal flow of water will be restored once the arrears are paid off. These households will also be offered the Pay-as-you-use, or PAYU scheme, for their electricity supply until outstanding arrears are settled.