Where to Get Help When You’re Having Money Troubles

From financial advice and government assistance to free meals, here are the resources you can use to get over a bad financial patch.

They say money is the root of all evil. When you’re low on cash and you’re at your wit’s end about the source of your next meal, or worrying about not having enough to tide over an illness, joblessness or other unforeseeable misfortunes, life can indeed feel a lot like hell.

It can be a very lonely road because it is a problem that is embarrassing and uncomfortable to discuss with others, let alone to reach out for help. But before you stress yourself and your family’s out further, know that there are organisations, charitable/religious groups and programmes out there that may be able to lend you a helping hand.

If You Seek Advice, Counselling and Support

Credit Counselling Singapore

Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) is a non-profit organisation that provides help with debt or financial problems through education. How does one overcome money difficulties? How do you manage your debt repayments? CCS gives free informative talks — in English and Chinese — which is recommended as an important first step to getting the help you need.

More information may be found here.

Address: CCS, 210 Middle Road, #05-04, Singapore Pools Building, Singapore 188994

Tel: 6225 5227

Debt Advisory Centre

Debt Advisory CENTRE (DAC) provides similar support to those facing financial problems. With two centres, they aim to help individuals using a three-step approach: Advice, educate and research. DAC conducts various workshops and holds support group sessions if it’s emotional support you seek. You can read up on details here.

Address: Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2, #06-02, Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Singapore 648886 (Tel: 6416 3990) / 1 Pasir Ris Drive 4, #05-11, Singapore 519457 (Tel: 6416 3966)

If You Seek Meals

The Willing Hearts

The Willing Hearts distributes free meals to 10 areas including Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah and Houngang. Visit their website for more information.

YWCA

The YWCA has a Meals-on-Wheels programme for the elderly that gives out free lunches to those in need. If you or someone you know who live in these areas — Banda Street, Bukit Merah View, Cantonment Road, Holland Road, Lengkok Bahru and Mei Ling Street — you’re eligible. They also have another programme that provides free nutritious dinners for children from low-income families. Visit YWCA to get more information.

Religious Groups and Organisations

These religious groups and organisations provide free meals for the poor, elderly, homeless and other underprivileged:

The Singapore Buddhist Lodge (17-19 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239329) serves up a vegetarian meals from 7am to 7pm.

The Central Sikh Temple (2 Towner Road, Singapore 327804) gives out free vegetarian Indian lunch daily.

The Nativity Church (1259 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534795) provides free breakfast and lunch every day.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840) offers free meals from 12.30pm to 6.30pm daily.

The Sri Krisna Mandir (9 Lor 29 Geylang, Singapore 388065) serves up free vegetarian food from 11am to 10pm daily.

If You Seek School Textbooks

NTUC FairPrice holds an annual Share-A-Textbook drive. They collect and donate textbooks to school children from low-income families usually around the month of December. Check out the NTUC FairPrice site and their Facebook page for the next scheduled drive.

Books can be collected at these five centres:

• Yio Chu Kang Secondary School (Address: 3063 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, Singapore 569868)
• Gan Eng Seng Secondary School (Address: 1 Henderson Road, Singapore 159561)
• Changi City Point (Address: 5 Changi Business Park Central, B1 Atrium, Singapore 486038)
• Warehouse Club (Address: 1 Joo Koon Circle, Level 2, Singapore 208539)
• City Square Mall (Address: 180 Kitchener Road, B1 Fountain Square, Singapore 208539)

If You Seek Government Assistance 

If you are seeking financial assistance for the elderly, or require parenting or disability help, the government provides a number of that you can call. Click here for details.

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By Alexa Fang

Alexa is a pop-culture vulture. She lives to read, write and travel, and decided long ago that life is stranger than fiction. When she's having croissant, she thinks in French. "31 Rue Cambon" is her favourite address, and she believes that money one enjoyed spending is never money wasted.