Q: If I have claimed the COVID-19 Support Grant from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as an SMOU member?

A: If you have received the COVID-19 Support Grant from MSF, you will not be eligible to receive any funding under the Seafarers Relief Package.

Q: If I have claimed the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Grant from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as an SMOU member?

A: If you have received the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Grant from the MOM, you will not be eligible to receive any funding under the Seafarers Relief Package.

Q: I am a successful applicant of the Temporary Relief Fund (TRF); can I still apply for the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP)?

A: Yes, you can apply for the SRP, as the TRF is for applicants unemployed from 23 January to 31 April 2020. For SRP, the eligible unemployment period is from 1 May to 31 July 2020.

Q: Can seafarers apply for both SMOU membership and the Seafarers Relief Package at the same time?

A: Yes, applicants can apply for the SMOU membership at the same time. Once the membership is approved, the member will be eligible for the SMOU funding.

Q: If I am not eligible for both the COVID-19 Support Grant and the MPA portion of the Seafarers Relief Package, am I still eligible for the $300 funding per month as an SMOU member?

A: The $300 funding from SMOU is additional funding only for successful applicants of the Seafarers Relief Package as an SMOU member. The conditions of eligibility for MPA’s funding share and SMOU’s funding share are the same.

Q: If I am currently not employed by any shipping employer/still looking for company placement, am I eligible for the funding?

A: Applicants may wish to seek assistance from the Government’s COVID-19 Support Grant at go.gov.sg/CSG.

Q: I am a cadet from the place-and-train programme who has just graduated and not been able to secure onboard employment on a ship. I had already submitted my readiness to the company before May 2020. Am I eligible to apply for the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP)?

A: The SRP is able to support TNTA/TETA cadets who are affected by travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a first-time COC holder or fresh graduate from the TNTA / TETA program and have not been able to sail from November 1, 2019 onwards, please write in to mcf@mpa.gov.sg for assistance.

Q: Does the Seafarers Relief Package (SRP) apply to Officers who are waiting for/taking the Certificate of Competency (CoC) examination?

A: The SRP is meant to help seafarers who are unable to secure shipboard employment between 1 May to 31 July 2020. Officers who are waiting/taking CoC examinations will have to submit their notice of readiness and unsuccessful attempts to secure shipboard employment. Candidates in the process of clearing their examinations may wish to consider concurrently seeking employment while waiting for their examinations to be cleared. Documentary proof from the company can support the application by stating the non-availability of shipboard positions for the period of employment that the seafarer applied for.