Written answer by Ministry of National Development on applications for HDB HFE letter under deferred income assessment scheme from couples with student and working status

Jul 2, 2024

Question No: 5907

Question by: Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB can exercise more flexibility when considering applications for the HDB flat eligibility (HFE) letter under the deferred income assessment scheme, when one of the two parties of the applying couple is still studying while the other has been working for more than 12 months; and (b) what criteria does the HDB use in deciding whether to approve such cases.

Answer:

Young couples where both parties were full-time students or National Servicemen in the last 12 months are not eligible for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), which requires 12 months of continuous employment prior to a household’s HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter application. We therefore allow them to apply for a flat first, and defer their income assessment to give them time to enter into continuous employment, before their eligibility for EHG is assessed. Couples with one party already working for the last 12 months before their HFE letter application can already qualify for the EHG, and therefore need not defer their income assessment. 

Young couples who need financial advice on their flat purchase may approach HDB for assistance.