Plain-English answers to the questions families ask before signing an admission letter. Doctor-curated. June 2026.
UPDATED JUN 2026 Subsidy rates are reviewed by MOH; the July 2026 enhancements are reflected where applicable.
Most Singaporean families discover the subsidy landscape only when a parent needs long-term care. There are five overlapping schemes. They are not interchangeable, and they pay for different things.
| Scheme | Who funds | What it covers | Means-tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOH portable subsidy (ILTC) | Ministry of Health | Daily fees at MOH-licensed nursing homes for eligible SC / PR residents | Yes (PCHI tier) |
| ElderShield | Private insurers (legacy until 2020) | Disability cash benefit, ~SGD 300–400/mo for legacy holders | No |
| CareShield Life | MOH-administered insurance | Lifetime monthly cash benefit (≥SGD 600/mo, rising annually) for severe disability | No |
| MediSave (Nursing Home use) | Patient's own MediSave | Up to SGD 200/mo of nursing-home fees for SC / PR | No |
| Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) | AIC | Cash help for home-care services (HCPP) — not residential | Yes (PCHI tier) |
Most SG-licensed nursing homes participate in the MOH portable subsidy scheme. "Portable" means the subsidy follows the resident, not the home — you can move between participating homes without re-qualifying.
Eligibility requires three things, in order:
The Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) is your household's total monthly income divided by the number of people in it. AIC computes this from the means-testing form. Tiers used in 2026:
| PCHI tier | Income band | SC subsidy (NH) | PR subsidy (NH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | ≤ SGD 800 / person / mo | Highest (up to 75%) | Lower than SC |
| Tier 2 | SGD 801–1,200 | ~60% | Lower than SC |
| Tier 3 | SGD 1,201–2,000 | ~35–50% | Lower than SC |
| Tier 4 | > SGD 2,000 | None / minimal | None |
If household income is zero, AIC uses the Annual Value (AV) of the residence as the means test instead.
Automatic for SG citizens / PRs born 1980 or later. Older cohorts have been auto-enrolled in phases. Premiums are paid from MediSave or cash. Payout: lifetime monthly cash benefit if you cannot perform 3 of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
The pre-2020 scheme. Held by older Singaporeans who were enrolled before CareShield Life rolled out. Cash benefit is lower (SGD 300–400/mo) and is paid for a fixed term, not lifetime. Cannot be top-up'd anymore; supplemental private cover is available separately.
From 2023 onward, MediSave can be drawn down to pay up to SGD 200/month of nursing-home fees for SC and PR residents. This is on top of the MOH portable subsidy — not in place of it. You apply through the nursing home; they handle the deduction.
If your parent stays at home and you hire a domestic helper or home-care service, you may qualify for the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG). It runs under the Home Care Personalisation Plan (HCPP). Same PCHI tiering applies; cash amount differs.
Can I apply for the subsidy before my parent moves in?
Yes. AIC's means-testing form can be submitted in advance. Most families do it during the hospital discharge planning conversation. The hospital medical social worker can submit it for you.
If my parent qualifies for the subsidy, can they move to any nursing home?
Only homes that participate in the MOH portable subsidy scheme. Most VWO-run and many private homes participate. A few premium private homes do not. Always check the home's subsidy-acceptance status (we publish this on every facility page).
Does CareShield Life cover the full nursing-home fee?
No. CareShield Life pays a cash benefit to the patient. It is not paid to the home. Most families combine the CareShield Life payout, the MOH portable subsidy, MediSave, and out-of-pocket savings to cover the total fee.
What if my parent isn't SC or PR?
Foreigners are not eligible for the MOH portable subsidy, CareShield Life, or MediSave. They pay private rates at private nursing homes. Some homes accept long-stay foreign residents; most do not.
My parent was enrolled in ElderShield before CareShield Life — should they switch?
Some legacy ElderShield holders have the option to upgrade. The trade-off is premium cost vs lifetime payout. NursingHomeGuide.sg is not a financial adviser. Consult a MAS-licensed financial adviser before changing schemes.
Where do I actually apply?
AIC. Hotline 1800-650-6060. Online at aic.sg. Most application paths route through hospital discharge planners — start there if your parent is admitted.
Editorial independence.
This page is published by NursingHomeGuide.sg as an information directory. We do not accept payment to influence its content.
Subsidy figures are summarised from MOH and AIC published materials; verify the exact rate that applies to your household with AIC.
NursingHomeGuide.sg is not a financial adviser. For CareShield Life or ElderShield questions, consult a MAS-licensed FA.
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