Singapore needs to prepare for a rapidly ageing population. In the next 10 years, the number of seniors (aged 65 & above) will double to almost over 900,000. As such, the Government has unveiled plans to ensure that the Silver generation can age healthilly and gracefully.
There have been many useful subsidies by the Singaporean Government. If you are a caregiver or caring for the Silver generation, our guide is here to help you defray the high costs of healthcare and pick the best subsidy or scheme that best suit your needs.
Jaga-Me’s The Silver Lining Subsidies is a three part series that covers a wide range of your expenses and the various grants, schemes and subsidies offered by the government to assist you.
Use the links below to help you navigate through The Silver Lining Subsidies: Daily Living & Outpatient Expenses!
DAILY LIVING (NON-MEDICAL)
- Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)
- Foreign Domestic Worker(FDW) Levy Concession
- Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund(SMF)
- Intermediate And Long-Term Care (ILTC) Services
- Pioneer Generation Package(PGP)
- Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS)
Daily Living (Non-Medical)
Enhancement For Active Seniors (EASE)
Source: Channel News Asia
What is it?
Up to 95% subsidies for home modifications so that old folks can live at ease in their own homes.
Subsidies for home modifications so that old folks can live at ease in their own homes.
Benefits:
This is what you can install in your flat through the EASE programme:
- Slip-resistant treatment to floor tiles in up to two bathrooms or toilets
- Grab bars in the flat (eight or 10 grab bars for the first toilet, and six grab bars for the second toilet)
- Up to five ramps in the flat, and/or at the main entrance – if it is doable
Eligibility Criteria:
You must be a Singapore flat owner, with at least one household member above 65 years old or between the ages of 60 and 64 and needs help with one or more of the Activities of Daily Living(ADLs). These include:
OR
You must be a Singaporean flat owner, with a member of your family living with you who is 65 years and older.
Apply for EASE program directly here via HDB e-service.
Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Concession Levy
What is it?
The FDW levy concession aims to provide relief for families with an aged adult at home who needs a FDW.
Benefits
Families with an aged adult (65 years and above) will receive a subsidized levy fee of $60 a month.
Eligibility Criteria:
To find out more you can check out the MOM website and apply for the scheme.
*From 1 April 2019, the qualifying age for the aged person scheme will be raised from 65 to 67. This is in light of improving life expectancy and health of Singaporeans.
However, all households with persons aged 65 and 66, which are enjoying or have enjoyed the levy concession under the aged person scheme before 1 April 2019, will continue to pay the monthly concessionary rate of $60.
Senior’s Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) for Assistive Devices
What is it?
Subsidies for mobility and assistive devices for daily independent living, home healthcare items and transport to Ministry of Health-funded centres.
Benefits:
- Assistive Devices: Includes mobility devices (i.e walking aids and wheelchairs) and other assistive devices (i.e. commodes, hearing aids, hospital beds and air mattresses).
- Transport: If your loved one needs assistance to go to a MOH funded day centres, they can receive subsidies for their transport to the day-care centre.
- Home Healthcare Items: If your loved one is eligible for a nursing home but chose to stay at home, you can receive subsidies for home healthcare products such as milk feeds, adult diapers, nasal tubing or wound dressing products.
“As Mdm Ho lives in a three-room HDB flat, she automatically qualifies for the 90 per cent Assistive Devices Subsidy. The new equipment that gives her more comfort and a better quality of life, costs her family $130, instead of $1,300.”
Read more about how SMF has helped people like Mdm Ho here.
Eligibility Criteria:
To find out more you can visit the silver pages, to apply for SMF scheme you can click here.
Daily Living (Medical)
Intermediate and Long-Term Care (ILTC) Services
What is it?
Intermediate and long term care (ILTC) services are typically required for persons who need further care after being discharged from an acute hospital as well as community-dwelling seniors who may be frail and need someone to watch over them or to help them with their daily needs.
These services are provided through:
- Community Hospitals
- Chronic Sick Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Hospices
- Eldercare Centres
- Home-based services such as home nursing (Like Jaga-Me), home medical, home help services meals-on-wheels, escort / transport services
Benefits:
Up to 80 % for home care and 75% for residential services such as nursing home.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents
- Meet the admission criteria of the ILTC services required
- Are receiving care from MOH-funded service providers
Outpatient
Pioneer Generation Package (PGP)
What is it?
The PGP is to honour and thank the pioneer generation for their efforts and dedication to Singapore. The package helps pioneers with their healthcare costs for life.
Benefits:
- Outpatient Care (Polyclinic, participating GP and Dental Clinics).
- Medisave Top-Ups
- MediShield Life
- Subsidies for premiums
- Disability Assistance
- Receive $1,200 cash payout for pioneers with moderate to severe functional disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Singapore Citizens who meet both criterias: Aged 16 and above in 1965 – this means:
- Born on or before 31 December 1949
- Aged 65 and above in 2014
AND
2. Obtained citizenship on or before 31 December 1986.
Find out more about the pioneer generation package here.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
What is it?
Subsidies for care at General Practitioners (GP) and dental clinics near home for all lower-to-middle income households and pioneers.
Benefits & Eligibility Criteria:
Find out more about the CHAS scheme here.
There are many grants, schemes and subsidies made available by the Singaporean government to ensure that the Silver generation retire with grace and dignity without the financial burden on their families. However, the assistance provided is only useful if the people who qualify for them are well-informed. We hope we have helped you in being well-informed so that you can help others to receive the full benefits of these resources.
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