Lawmaker urges expansion of community program to support single-parent families with infants

Lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng submitted a written inquiry calling on the government to expand the scope of the “Community Inclusion and Harmony Program” to cover single-parent families with children under the age of three who have not yet enrolled in school, arguing that current eligibility criteria overlook some of the city’s most vulnerable households.

Under the existing regulations, set forth in Article 3 of the program regulations No. 24/2022, single-parent families qualify for special assistance payments only if their household includes children enrolled in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, or higher education.

This means families with infants or toddlers who are still in daycare or cared for at home are excluded from the program.

Wong pointed out that single-parent families with young children face particularly heavy financial pressures, with essential expenses such as formula milk, diapers, and childcare fees placing a significant strain on household budgets.

These families also contend with prolonged caregiving responsibilities, yet the current policy fails to address their needs.

The program, which has been in place for years, was designed to provide special financial assistance to households living in or near economic hardship.

However, frontline social workers have increasingly raised concerns that the eligibility requirements have not kept pace with changing family structures and economic realities.

In her inquiry, Wong cited feedback from social workers who have noted that single parents with infants often find themselves in a paradox: they face higher costs of living due to infant care needs, yet they are barred from accessing the very assistance that could help alleviate those costs.

The absence of coverage for this demographic, she argued, creates a gap in the social safety net at a critical stage of family development.

Wong also highlighted procedural obstacles that further disadvantage already-stressed households.

Despite the government’s broader push toward digital public services, applications remain predominantly paper-based.

Applicants are still required to submit physical forms in person at Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) service centers or partner organizations.

For working single parents who must also attend to young children, making time for such visits can be a significant hurdle.

Some supporting documents required for the application – particularly those issued by the courts – involve separate procedures, fees, and long waiting times, all requiring further in-person appearances.

Wong urged the government to review and revise the eligibility criteria to include single-parent families with children under three, arguing that such a move would provide immediate financial relief.

She also called on the authorities to accelerate digitalization, noting that the Macao One Account platform already integrates personal data from multiple departments.

By establishing data-sharing mechanisms, eligible families would no longer need to repeatedly submit information already held in government databases, reducing administrative costs and shortening approval times.

The integration would also minimize errors and free up social service resources for more direct support.