Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST): Helping Divorced/Widowed Parents Start Fresh With New HDB Flats

Written by: Rita Magallona

Challenges reveal our inner strength, especially when the stakes are as high as a child’s welfare. But when the unexpected happens, we understand how divorced or widowed parents with young children need all the help they can get.

You may have to deal not only with overwhelming emotions but also a drastic change in circumstances. From figuring out how to survive on one income to explaining the unthinkable to your kids, you have your work cut out for you.

Thanks to the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST), you have one less thing to worry about.

What You Need to Know About the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers

ASSIST is set up to provide housing priority to divorced and widowed parents who, because of their present status, would not normally qualify for other priority schemes.

Being previously married, you may have already availed of other priority schemes, making you now second-timers and ineligible for these schemes.

What Are the Eligibility Conditions for the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers?

If you are a divorced or widowed parent who wants to move to a new flat, you’re in luck. There are only two conditions you should meet to be eligible for the ASSIST:

1. You must be the parent of a minor.

You must have at least one child in your care who is below 18 years old. The child should be either born out of legal marriage or legally adopted to qualify.

2. “You must not have acquired any interest in an HDB flat or private residential property (except for your matrimonial flat/ property) after the date of divorce/ separation or demise of your spouse.”

This condition, written here verbatim from the HBD’s site, has been amended in 2017 from its previous version that reads “the parent must not have owned or disposed of a flat or private residential property after the date of divorce or separation or the demise of the spouse.” Research has found this previous version to be too stringent that very few of the now-single parents qualified for the scheme.

With the revised condition, you can now avail of the ASSIST even though you have sold your matrimonial flat, which is what usually happens in the event of a divorce or the demise of a spouse.

With the ASSIST, you can have a safe space for healing.

Find out your expected mortgage payments with our Affordability Calculator. For free advice, reach out to our mortgage experts via chat.

Check out these essential tips for moving to a new flat. And don’t forget to update your residential address.

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