The number of families receiving ComCare’s Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) fell to a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improvements in the economy, the job market, and other government support programs.

And while short-term financial aid helps families meet their basic needs, nearly half of households who left SMTA in 2021 returned for assistance within three years, highlighting ongoing financial challenges.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nathan Peng, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Singapore Management University (SMU), to discuss the drop in SMTA recipients and how government programs are supporting lower-income families in both the short and long term.

The number of families receiving ComCare&rsquo;s Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) fell to a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improvements in the economy, the job market, and other government support programs.
And while short-term financial aid helps families meet their basic needs, nearly half of households who left SMTA in 2021 returned for assistance within three years, highlighting ongoing financial challenges.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nathan Peng, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Singapore Management University (SMU), to discuss the drop in SMTA recipients and how government programs are supporting lower-income families in both the short and long term.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion,

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.