The following article was published in the Straits Times on 11 September 2004.
More aid just in time for couple's 4th child
Straits Times, 11 September 2004
CLINTON and Ivy Galistan have been married for nine years and just had their fourth child, Natalie, last month.
'I was an only child so when I was young, I wanted six children,' said Mrs Galistan.
'But after Clinton and I had two, we thought it was enough because we wanted to be able to give them enough.
'So when I was pregnant with our third, then fourth child, each time we prayed that somehow we would be able to manage. And what do you know, the Baby Bonus came in time for our third child and they changed the Medisave policy in time for our fourth child.'
So now they will be able to use Medisave to help pay for Natalie's hospital costs, which came to about $4,000.
Their first three children are: Dillon, eight, Natasha, five, and Kenan, three.
Last year, Mrs Galistan, 34, made about $40,000 as a self-employed hairdresser and Mr Galistan, 35, earned about $56,400 as a Prison Service rehabilitation officer.
They live in staff housing in Tanah Merah and have two maids to take care of the children, who don't have grandparents able to help look after them.
Here's what they qualify for:
MEDISAVE FOR BIRTH
Previously, Medisave could be used only for the first three living children and only for delivery expenses.
But now, the Galistans can use Medisave to help pay for Natalie's $4,000 hospital bill as well.
Withdrawal limits were raised by $450 to $1,800 for Natalie's normal birth.
BABY BONUS
Kenan, the Galistans' third child, qualifies for the old Baby Bonus - a $6,000 cash gift and up to another $12,000 matching contribution from the Government.
Under the old scheme, his Baby Bonus was paid out over six years. With the policy change, the Galistans will receive the balance of the $6,000 by December.
With Natalie's birth, they will get another $6,000 cash gift but paid out over 18 months. They will get up to another $12,000 in matching contributions from the Government.
MATERNITY LEAVE
The Government will pay for Mrs Galistan to go on up to 12 weeks of maternity leave.
Since she is self-employed, she can claim her reimbursement after her maternity leave by logging on to www.maternityleave.gov.sg
PARENTHOOD TAX REBATE
Under the old scheme, their second child, Natasha, helps them qualify for a $10,000 Special Tax Rebate, since Mrs Galistan was 29 when she had Natasha.
Under this same scheme, they also get a $20,000 Special Tax Rebate with the birth of their third child.
With the new Parenthood Tax Rebate scheme, they can share a further $20,000 tax rebate with the birth of their fourth child.
Because Natalie was born this year, Mrs Galistan can claim a further 15 per cent, or $6,000 rebate, from her estimated $40,000 income.
Mrs Galistan can also claim any carry-forward of Further Tax Rebate for her third child Kenan.
TAX RELIEFS
Either parent can get $8,000 ($2,000 per child) relief under the Qualifying Child Relief scheme.
Mrs Galistan can claim 65 per cent, or $26,000, of her income as relief under the Working Mothers' Child Relief scheme.
CHILDCARE LEAVE
Mr Galistan will get two days of childcare leave each year until Natalie turns seven in August 2011.
Because Mrs Galistan is self-employed, she can take childcare leave whenever she needs it but does not have a employer to reimburse her for the days taken.
FOREIGN MAID LEVY DISCOUNT
The Galistans can save $190 ($95 per maid) in foreign maid levies because they have children under age 12.
