Supporting patients and caregivers with long-term care financial assistance can feel complex. This guide summarises Singapore’s key disability support schemes, explains Functional Assessment Report (FAR) and Severe Disability Assessment (SDA), and shows when medical assessments are required.

Understanding Disability Assessments

Functional Assessment Report (FAR)

• Used for mild to moderate disability schemes

• Assesses ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Determines eligibility for caregiving grants and levy concessions

Learn more: https://www.aic.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Functional-Assessment-Report.pdf

Severe Disability Assessment (SDA)

• Required for severe disability and long-term care insurance payouts

• Confirms if a person requires help with at least 3 out of 6 ADLs

Learn more: https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/services/SDA/severe-disability-assessment-sda

Financial Assistance for Mild–Moderate Disabilities

1. Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS)

• $100 monthly cash payout for eligible Pioneer Generation seniors

Key eligibility:

• Pioneer Generation member

• Lives in Singapore

• Requires help with ≥3 ADLs

Check eligibility:

• LifeSG App

• Singpass App

➡️ More details: https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/

2. Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) Levy Concession (Persons with Disabilities)

• Reduced levy of $60/month (usual: $300)

• Up to 2 concessions per household

Key eligibility:

• Care recipient lives at the same address

• Singapore Citizen or PR with SC immediate family member

• Not residing in a nursing home

• Requires help with ≥1 ADL

➡️ More details: https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/

3. Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)

Provides monthly cash support to offset caregiving costs.

Key eligibility:

• Singapore Citizen or PR (with SC immediate family)

• Lives in Singapore

• Means-tested

• Requires help with ≥3 ADLs

➡️ More details: https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/

Financial Assistance for Severe Disabilities

Severe disability schemes require a Severe Disability Assessment (SDA).

Schemes that require SDA:

• CareShield Life

• ElderShield

• ElderFund

• Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)

• MediSave Care

CareShield Life

• National long-term care insurance

• Lifetime monthly payouts while severely disabled

Who is covered:

• Automatically covered: Singapore Citizens & PRs born 1980 or later

• Optional enrolment for those born 1979 or earlier (if not severely disabled)

Payouts:

• From $600/month (increases annually until age 67 or claim)

Learn more: https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/healthcare-financing/careshield-life

ElderShield (Older Scheme)

Applies to seniors enrolled before CareShield Life

Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)

• For seniors not eligible for ElderShield due to age or pre-existing disability

Monthly payout:

• $150 or $250 (means-tested)

• Up to 72 months

Can be used for:

• Medical bills

• Nursing care

• Hiring a caregiver or domestic helper

ElderFund

• Safety net for lower-income severely disabled Singapore Citizens

• For those not eligible for CareShield Life, ElderShield, or IDAPE

Support provided:

• Up to $250/month

• Paid for as long as eligibility remains

Guiding criteria:

• Household income ≤ $1,500 per person

• MediSave balance < $10,000

More details: https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/

How Our Clinic Can Help

We support patients and caregivers with:

• FAR and SDA medical assessments

• Guidance on scheme eligibility

• Medical documentation for claims and reviews

Need help with FAR or SDA?
Our doctors can guide you through the assessment and next steps.

Information adapted from Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). For the latest updates, please refer to official sources.