Financial Assistance

Medical expenses and caregiving can be quite expensive and not everyone can afford to pay for the related expenses.

While there is no specific financial assistance offered to people with HIV, there are schemes open to the financially disadvantaged, disabled or aged. We have compiled them here for your reference.

Do note that most of these schemes are only for Singaporean citizens and PRs. You are encouraged to check each scheme for your eligibility as some of these schemes support foreigners in dire situations.

Disclaimer: We do our best to make sure the list below is accurate and up to date. If you find any errors, please let us know. Our source for the list is local healthcare start-up, Homage’s handy guide on the grants, subsidies, and financial assistance schemes available for seniors and caregivers in Singapore.

💊 Medical fees

Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)

Pay less with medical subsidies for medical and/or dental care* at participating General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics.

MediSave Care

Allows the severely disabled to make monthly cash withdrawals of max $200/mth from their own and/or their spouse’s MediSave Accounts for their long-term care needs.

ElderFund

Only for disabled lower-income Singapore Citizens aged 30 and older who do not qualify for most other financial assistance. Get $250 cash payout per month.

Medical Fee Exemption Card

Only for the truly poor. Covers all your standard medical and hospitalisation treatment at government or restructured hospitals, polyclinics and approved intermediate and long-term care services.

Note: This scheme allows for stateless persons to apply provided (1) you meet the financial criteria and (2) have documents from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to prove you are not an illegal immigrant.

👐 Caregiving expenses

Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)

A monthly cash payout of $200 to help with caregiving expenses (e.g. eldercare and caregiver support services in the community, or hiring of a maid) for a loved one with permanent moderate disability.

Foreign Domestic Levy Concession

Useful for families who employed a foreign domestic worker to take care of their ageing or disabled loved one. Reduces the Foreign Domestic Levy to $60/ mth.

Caregivers Training Grant (CTG)

$200 annual subsidy that lets caregivers attend approved courses to better care for their loved ones.

🚽 Making home improvements

Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)

Get a subsidised rate to make your home elderly-friendly.

Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF)

Get subsidies for the purchase of assistive devices or home healthcare devices.

🦼 People with Disabilities (PWDs)

Assistive Technology Fund (ATF)

Provides subsidies for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to purchase assistive technology devices to enable independent living.

Successful applicants qualify for a means-tested subsidy of up to 90% of the cost of the required equipment, subject to a lifetime cap of $40,000.

Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)

A monthly cash payout of $200 to help with caregiving expenses (e.g. eldercare and caregiver support services in the community, or hiring of a maid) for a loved one with permanent moderate disability.

Interim Disability Assistance Scheme (IDAPE)

Only for seniors with severe disabilities. Receive $150 or $250 monthly cash payout (depending on their financial circumstances) for up to 72 months.

🍽️ Living expenses

ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA)

Monthly cash assistance and employment assistance for families unable to find a job or work for a period of time.

ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA), also known as Public Assistance

Cash assistance for elderly persons who are unable to work and have little or no family support, savings or assets to rely on for daily needs.

Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS)

For those from the Pioneer Generation (born on or before 31 December 1949).

Get $100/month, which you can use for expenses.

🛡️ Insurance

Take note you will have to purchase this insurance ahead of time.

CareShield Life

An offering of CPF board. CareShield Life is a long-term care insurance scheme that will provide you with basic financial support should you become severely disabled, especially during old age, and need personal and medical care for a prolonged duration.

ElderShield

An offering of CPF board. ElderShield is a severe disability insurance scheme that provides basic financial protection to those who are not able to do simple daily activities and need long-term care, especially in their old age.​

ElderShield and CareShield Life Supplement

Private insurance topups to make the CPF Eldershield or Careshield payouts more substantial.