ActSEA's reimbursement policy is aligned with our salary policy.

General

xxx.

Youth Corps Community Internship (YCCI)

Context

The reimbursement policy for YCCI interns recognises that the S$800 allowance - in addition to being below market rate - is generally insufficient for a youth who is required to cover their own living expenses. Yet, the YCCI programme may, depending on the intern's situation, require them to incur additional food and transportation expenses to:

• Participate in YCCI workshops and volunteering sessions. (YCCI typically does not cover transportation and meals for these sessions)
• Co-work in-person at a co-working space. (ActSEA is a remote-first workplace but YCCI requires a hybrid work arrangement)

Policy

Therefore, ActSEA will reimburse YCCI interns for the following:

• Full public transportation costs incurred in travelling by MRT or bus to and from: (a) YCCI workshops; (b) YCCI volunteering sessions, and; (c) co-working spaces on co-working days.
• Meals consumed during: (a) YCCI activities which span across lunch or dinner, where lunch/dinner is not provided, and; (b) Co-working days which span across lunch or dinner, up to S$4.

Notes:

• Taxis or ride-hailing services are not reimbursable unless pre-approved by a relevant approval authority.
• Trips must be made for the sole purpose of commuting to/from the above-mentioned activities.

Claims are to be made in accordance with the finance procedures.

Calculations

The average cost of a meal is about $6.01 in neighbourhood food courts in 2023. With Singapore’s projected 3.0% headline inflation in 2024, the average meal cost is expected to rise to $6.19 in 2024. However, due to ActSEA’s remote-first policy, food expenses will generally be much lower as Interns will eat more home cooked food. Food expenses per month costs up to $200 per person which equates to $2.22 per meal assuming 3 meals a day for 30 days a month.

We will use this equation to determine the reimbursement rates:

$AverageCostOfAMeal (in town) - $AverageCostOfAMeal (at home)
$6.19 - $2.22 = $3.97 Capped Subsidy

Scenario-based Example: