FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD

Transcription

1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD Q1: Why is the effective date of the National Service Excellence Award (NSEA) set on 1 Apr 16? A1: The effective date of 1 Apr 16 takes alignment from the SAF s work year which runs from 1 Apr of each year to 31 Mar of the following year. Q2: Why was the Family Recognition Voucher (FRV) renamed to the NSEA? A2: The new name better reflects the intent of the scheme, which is to better recognise NSmen who have performed well during their Operationally-Ready National Service (ORNS). Q3: If NSmen have been awarded the FRV but have yet to redeem their selected rewards via the FRV website ( can they still do so after 1 Apr 2016? A3: NSmen who have been awarded the FRV before 1 Apr 16, can continue to redeem their selected rewards via the FRV website until the stipulated expiry date. The FRV cannot be redeemed for rewards offered under the NSEA scheme. Q4: If NSmen have been awarded the FRV before 1 Apr 16 and have redeemed their selected reward vouchers via the FRV website, will the vouchers still be valid? A4: Yes, the vouchers will be valid until the expiry date indicated on them. Q5: If NSmen s call-up commenced before 1 Apr 16, would they be eligible for the FRV or NSEA? A5: If the call-up ended before 1 Apr 16, NSmen would be eligible for the FRV. NSmen whose call-up ended on or after 1 Apr 16 would be eligible for the NSEA. pg. 1

2 Q6: Is the NSEA taxable? A6: IRAS regulations stipulate that the value of the voucher will be subjected to income tax. NSmen will be taxed on the value of the vouchers for the Year of Assessment when the rewards package is selected. Q7: Can the same NSman be eligible for more than one NSEA within the same work year? A7: Yes, the same NSman can be eligible for more than one NSEA within the same work year. REDEMPTION Q8: When will eligible NSmen be able to commence redemption of their NSEA credits? A8: NSmen who have been awarded the NSEA from 1 Apr 16 will receive a SMS notification from Dec 2016 onwards to inform them of their eligibility and redemption process. They can then start to access the NSEA redemption website ( to start their redemption. From Feb 2017, NSmen who are awarded the NSEA will receive the SMS notification within three weeks from receipt of the congratulatory letter for NSEA. They may start their redemption then. Q9: If the mobile number registered on NS Portal is not valid, how will eligible NSmen be notified? A9: For a better redemption experience, NSmen are strongly encouraged to update their mobile number on NS Portal. NSmen who did not register a valid mobile number on NS Portal will be notified via or letter from Jan 17 onwards. Q10: Why do NSmen need to wait until the end of the year to redeem their NSEA credits? Will this mean that they have a shorter validity period to redeem their vouchers? A10: Due to contractual changes, the NSEA scheme will be implemented in Dec 16. NSmen will have 12 months from the date of their SMS notification to redeem their vouchers on They will not have a shorter validity period to redeem their vouchers. pg. 2

3 Q11: How long are the credits valid for? A11: Credits will be valid for 12 months from their SMS notification. Q12: Can NSmen extend the login and credit validity beyond 12 months? A12: There will be no extension of the validity date of the login and credits issued. Q13: What should NSEA recipients in 2016 do if they do not receive the SMS notification by Jan 17? A13: There is a substantial number of NSEA recipients in 2016 and the SMS notifications will be sent out gradually from Dec 16. If NSmen do not receive the SMS notification by end Jan 17, they can contact their respective S8s/Command HRMCs/NSROs/Hd MP Br/Admin Officer or equivalent. Alternatively, NSmen can call the NS Hotline at ensnsns ( ) or contact@ns.sg. Q14: What should NSEA recipients do if they accidentally delete the SMS notification? A14: Please contact the NS Excellence Award Hotline at , or cs@uniqrewards.com to request for the SMS notification to be resent to you. Operating hours are from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm, excluding Public Holidays Q15: For NSmen who received credits from both Celebratory Gifts and NS Excellence Award schemes, can they combine the credits for redemption? A15: NSmen will be able to combine their credits from both schemes from Feb 2017 onwards. However, the validity period for credits issued for the respective schemes will still apply. Q16: What are the rewards packages available for redemption? A16: Eligible NSmen may log in to the redemption website ( to refer to the list of lifestyle products, services or family attractions available for redemption. Packages will be reviewed and updated from time to time. Q17: How long are the rewards packages valid for upon redemption on the website? pg. 3

4 A17: Unless stated otherwise, rewards packages offered are generally valid for at least six months upon redemption. Q18: What is the minimum redemption amount per checkout? What if the NSman chooses to redeem below the minimum redemption amount? A18: For NSmen who are eligible for $100 worth of credits, the minimum redemption amount is $100. NSmen, who check out with a total value below the minimum redemption amount, will be notified by the system that their unutilised credits will be forfeited upon checkout. NSmen have to acknowledge the system notification before they can complete the redemption. For NSmen who are eligible for more than $100 worth of credits, they are allowed more than one checkout. There will be no minimum redemption amount for the first checkout. NSmen will be required to utilise all remaining credits at the final checkout. NSmen have to acknowledge the system notification before they can complete the redemption. Q19: Are all rewards packages within $100 or $200? How many packages can the NSmen select? What if the value of the package redeemed is more than $100? A19: There is a variety of packages available for redemption that are below the value of $100, and NSmen can choose to redeem any number of these packages. If the value of the packages redeemed exceeds the credit available, the balance will be borne by the NSmen. Payment can be made via credit card/debit card/paypal. DELIVERY Q20: How will the rewards packages be delivered? A20: Rewards packages worth $200 and below will be delivered by SMS Mail (a SingPost mailing service). A SMS notification will be sent to the NSman s mobile number registered on NS Portal when the package has been delivered to their mailbox. Rewards packages above the value of $200 will be delivered by courier. Q21: How long will it take for the rewards package to be delivered to the NSmen? A21: Rewards packages will be mailed to the NSmen within 14 days from Dec 16 to Jan 17 and within 7 working days from Feb 17. If NSmen pg. 4

5 do not receive their rewards package after 14 or 7 days (depending on point of redemption), they can cs@uniqrewards.com or contact the NS Excellence Award Hotline at for assistance. Operating hours are from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm, excluding Public Holidays. Q22: If the NSmen do not receive or misplace the rewards package mailed to them, can they request replacements? A22: If NSmen do not receive their rewards package within 7 to 14 working days, they can cs@uniqrewards.com or contact the NS Excellence Award Hotline at for assistance. Operating hours are from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm, excluding Public Holidays. There will be no replacement of any lost, defaced, damaged or stolen rewards packages. pg. 5