[sgbuffett]

I know of a guy who's older than me who suffered financially because of NS.

His mother owned a chye tau kwey stall (the father had passed away before he went for NS) and was sick and could not man the stall. He needed to man the stall to continue getting income for the family. Kept asking for deferment etc. Never got it. Tough life. The mother was sick throughout his NS.

That was back in the 1980s so was kind of expected as Singapore was tougher then.

When I started NS my mom was still working in factory.
Had I been able to work it would have helped but my situation was not as bad as others I know.

One can apply for help during NS but they only help the most desperate cases. Not everyone who need help would go and apply and subject themselves to question of their family problems.

Alway felt that they should just give help without application to low income if they are sincere about helping and not wanting to increase the social divide.