NursingHomeGuide.sg · Subsidy guide
Singapore eldercare subsidy guide
Subsidies can reduce nursing home fees by 50–80% for Singapore Citizens. But the system involves four separate schemes with different eligibility criteria. This guide explains each in plain English.
Overview — the four main schemes
Singapore's eldercare financing system is built from four interlocking schemes. Understanding how they interact is key to estimating what a family will actually pay after subsidies.
- MOH Portable Subsidy (ILTC subsidy) — the largest and most impactful subsidy, means-tested by household income (per person). Reduces nursing home fees by 20–75% for Singapore Citizens and 10–50% for Permanent Residents. Applies automatically once a resident is admitted to a subsidised bed in any MOH-licensed nursing home.
- CareShield Life — mandatory national long-term care insurance for SC/PR born 1980 or later. Pays a monthly cash benefit (approximately $689/month in 2026, rising each year) when the claimant cannot perform 3 or more of 6 Activities of Daily Living. The payout can be directed straight to the nursing home to offset fees.
- MediSave (MediSave Care) — allows monthly withdrawals from a resident's CPF MediSave account to help cover nursing home costs, subject to account balance tiers. Maximum of $200/month. A spouse's MediSave can supplement if the resident's balance is insufficient.
- CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) — subsidises GP clinic visits, dental care, and chronic disease management at participating community clinics. Does not cover residential nursing home fees, but remains relevant for seniors receiving outpatient or day-care services, and for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cardholders.
A typical Singapore Citizen in a subsidised nursing home bed may stack the ILTC subsidy (which reduces the base fee), then apply CareShield Life payouts and MediSave Care withdrawals to reduce the net monthly bill further.
MOH Portable Subsidy (ILTC subsidy) — the most important one
The Intermediate and Long-Term Care (ILTC) portable subsidy is administered by the Ministry of Health and is the single biggest factor in what a family pays for nursing home care. It is called "portable" because it follows the resident to any MOH-licensed subsidised nursing home — the subsidy is not tied to a specific facility or operator.
How Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) is calculated
Means-testing uses household income per person — the total gross monthly household income of everyone living in the same home, divided by the number of people in that household. For example, if a working adult child earns $4,000/month and lives with an elderly parent who has no income, the two-person household has a household income (per person) of $2,000/month.
For households with zero income, MOH uses the Annual Value (AV) of the residential property as a proxy. As of 2025, the AV threshold is $21,000. If the AV is $21,000 or below, the resident qualifies for the maximum subsidy tier. If the AV exceeds $21,000, no subsidy is awarded. You can check your property's AV via the IRAS myTax Portal. Use the MediShield Life Household Check e-Service to verify or update household income details for means-testing purposes.
Household income subsidy tiers (effective 1 October 2024)
The following rates apply to nursing home fees at MOH-subsidised beds. MOH raised household income thresholds by $100–$800 across tiers in October 2024, and further enhancements are expected from July 2026. Verify the latest thresholds at moh.gov.sg.
| household income per person | Singapore Citizen subsidy | Permanent Resident subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| $900 and below | 75% | 50% |
| $901 to $1,500 | 60% | 40% |
| $1,501 to $2,300 | 50% | 30% |
| $2,301 to $2,600 | 40% | 20% |
| $2,601 to $3,600 | 20% | 10% |
| $3,601 and above | 0% | 0% |
| Zero household income, Annual Value of property ≤$21,000 | 75% | 50% |
| Zero household income, Annual Value of property >$21,000 | 0% | 0% |
These subsidy percentages apply to the total nursing home bill. Nursing home care starts from approximately $3,900/month before subsidies (based on AIC guidance as of mid-2024). A Singapore Citizen at the 75% tier would pay roughly $975/month before applying CareShield Life or MediSave Care offsets.
How the subsidy is applied
Families do not submit a separate subsidy application form. The process works as follows:
- The resident is referred to a nursing home by a public hospital, polyclinic, or medical social worker (MSW).
- AIC conducts means-testing using household income and IRAS data.
- Once the resident is admitted to a subsidised bed, the nursing home bills the net post-subsidy amount directly. The government pays the subsidy portion to the facility.
For queries or if you believe the household income calculation is incorrect, contact AIC CareLine at 1800-650-6060 or visit an AIC Link service centre. The medical social worker managing the hospital referral can also assist.
CareShield Life
CareShield Life is Singapore's mandatory national long-term care insurance scheme. Unlike the ILTC subsidy, CareShield Life is an insurance payout — it is not means-tested and does not depend on household income. If the resident meets the clinical disability criteria, the monthly benefit is paid regardless of wealth.
Who is covered
- Born 1980 or later: All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are automatically enrolled at age 30 (or from 1 October 2020, whichever is later), including those with pre-existing medical conditions.
- Born 1970–1979: Those who were covered under ElderShield 400 were automatically enrolled into CareShield Life from 1 December 2021.
- Born 1969 or earlier: May apply to join CareShield Life voluntarily, provided they have not yet developed severe disability. Contact CPF Board to apply.
Monthly payout amounts
The starting payout was $600/month in October 2020. It increases at approximately 2% per year until age 67 or until a successful claim is made, whichever comes first.
| Year | Approximate monthly payout (pre-claim) |
|---|---|
| 2020 (start) | $600 |
| 2025 | ~$662 |
| 2026 | ~$689 |
The CareShield Life Council 2025 Review — accepted by the Government on 27 August 2025 — doubles the annual payout growth rate from 2% to 4%, effective progressively from January 2026. The Government has committed S$570 million in additional premium support over five years to moderate the corresponding premium increases (average ~S$38/year). A successful claim in 2030 will provide S$806/month, up from S$731 under the previous growth rate. Verify the current payout schedule at cpf.gov.sg.
Once a claim is approved, payouts continue for life as long as severe disability criteria are met. There is no cap on the number of months, which is a key advantage over the legacy ElderShield scheme.
Claim eligibility — the 6 ADLs
To qualify for a CareShield Life payout, the claimant must be unable to perform at least 3 of the following 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), requiring full assistance from another person:
- Washing or bathing
- Dressing and undressing
- Feeding oneself
- Toileting
- Walking or moving around indoors
- Transferring (moving from bed to chair or wheelchair)
How to claim
- Arrange an assessment with an MOH-accredited disability assessor. The first assessment fee is waived. If the claim is approved, the assessment cost is reimbursed with the first payout — $100 for a clinic assessment or $250 for a home visit.
- Submit the claim via the AIC eFASS portal at aic.sg using Singpass, through the nursing home's administration team, or by hardcopy form.
- Processing takes approximately 6–8 weeks.
- If approved, payouts are deposited monthly to a nominated bank account. Nursing home residents may nominate the payout to go directly to the nursing home to offset fees.
CareShield Life is administered by CPF Board (since November 2021). For enquiries: AIC CareLine 1800-650-6060. For CareShield Life supplement enquiries, contact Singlife at 6827 9933.
Legacy ElderShield — what existing policyholders need to know
ElderShield is the predecessor scheme, with lower payouts and a fixed benefit duration:
- ElderShield 300: Pays $300/month for up to 60 months (5 years).
- ElderShield 400: Pays $400/month for up to 72 months (6 years).
The government took over administration of ElderShield from private insurers (Singlife, Great Eastern Life, Income Insurance) on 1 November 2021. ElderShield claims are now submitted through AIC eFASS using Singpass, with the same 3-of-6 ADL criteria. ElderShield policyholders who have not yet developed severe disability may apply to switch to CareShield Life — prior ElderShield premiums paid are credited toward CareShield Life costs. The switch is permanent.
MediSave for nursing home fees
CPF MediSave can be used to offset nursing home costs, primarily through the MediSave Care scheme, which allows eligible residents to make monthly cash withdrawals from their MediSave account.
MediSave Care — eligibility
To qualify, the resident must:
- Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 30 or above
- Have severe disability — unable to perform at least 3 of 6 ADLs with full assistance required (same criteria as CareShield Life)
- Have a MediSave account balance of at least $5,000 (a minimum balance of $5,000 must always be maintained)
Monthly withdrawal limits by account balance
| MediSave account balance | Maximum monthly withdrawal |
|---|---|
| $20,000 and above | $200/month |
| $15,000 to $19,999 | $150/month |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | $100/month |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | $50/month |
| Below $5,000 | Not eligible |
A spouse's MediSave account can supplement the resident's own MediSave Care withdrawal, up to a combined cap of $200/month. The resident's own account is drawn first; the spouse's account makes up the remainder.
Other MediSave uses relevant to eldercare
- Day rehabilitation: Up to $25/day, maximum $1,500/year at approved centres.
- Inpatient palliative care: $250/day at approved general institutions; $350/day at specialised institutions.
- Home palliative/hospice care: No withdrawal limit using own account.
- Flexi-MediSave (outpatient elderly care): Annual limit rising from $300 to $400/year from 1 October 2025.
MediSave withdrawals can also be made using the accounts of approved dependants, including your spouse, parents, grandparents (SC/PR only), siblings (SC/PR only), and children.
How to apply for MediSave Care
Apply via the AIC eFASS portal at aic.sg using Singpass, through the nursing home's administration team, or by hardcopy. Processing takes approximately 6–8 weeks. Nursing home residents may nominate the MediSave Care payout to be paid directly to the facility.
CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme)
CHAS subsidises GP clinic visits, dental care, and chronic disease management at participating CHAS clinics islandwide. CHAS does not cover residential nursing home fees. Its value in the eldercare context is for seniors living at home, attending day rehabilitation, or requiring outpatient medical care alongside or prior to nursing home admission.
CHAS card tiers and subsidies
| Card type | Household income eligibility | Common illness subsidy | Complex chronic condition subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | ≤$1,500/month | Up to $18.50/visit (24 visits/year) | Up to $125/visit, capped at $500/year |
| Orange | $1,501–$2,300/month | Up to $10/visit | Up to $80/visit, capped at $320/year |
| Green | >$2,300/month | Chronic disease and Healthier SG benefits only | Limited chronic disease benefits |
Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation extras
Seniors with Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) status receive enhanced subsidies regardless of household income.
- Pioneer Generation — Singapore Citizens born on or before 31 December 1949. Common illness visits: up to $28.50/visit. Complex chronic conditions: up to $135/visit, capped at $540/year. Dental procedures: up to $625 per procedure. Healthier SG screenings are free. PG seniors referred by CHAS clinics to public Specialist Outpatient Clinics retain their subsidised rates at the SOC.
- Merdeka Generation — Singapore Citizens born 1 January 1950 to 31 December 1959. Common illness visits: up to $23.50/visit. Complex chronic conditions: up to $130/visit, capped at $520/year. Dental procedures: up to $620 per procedure. Healthier SG screenings at $2. MG seniors also received MediSave top-ups of $200/year for 5 years (2019–2023).
From 1 October 2025, CHAS dental subsidies for ten preventive procedures (including scaling and polishing) are extended to CHAS Orange cardholders, and subsidy limits for restorative procedures are raised for PG, MG, Blue, and Orange cardholders. Apply for a CHAS card at go.gov.sg/chas or at an AIC Link centre.
How to get started
Navigating the system for the first time can feel overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step path from initial need to subsidy in place.
- Call AIC first. The Agency for Integrated Care coordinates the entire placement and subsidy process. Call the AIC CareLine at 1800-650-6060 (toll-free, Monday to Friday 8:30am–8:30pm, Saturday 8:30am–4:00pm) or email enquiries@aic.sg. They can explain your options, arrange an AIC Link appointment, and advise on what means-testing documents you will need.
- Get a clinical referral. A doctor at a public hospital or polyclinic, or a medical social worker (MSW), will assess the patient's care needs and initiate the referral paperwork for a nursing home placement. This clinical assessment is required before AIC can process a subsidised placement.
- Prepare for means-testing. Gather: recent payslips or income tax notices for all household members, NRIC details for all household members living together, and the Annual Value of your home (available via IRAS myTax Portal). AIC will use these to calculate your household income (per person) and determine the applicable subsidy tier.
- Visit shortlisted facilities. AIC coordinates placement based on care needs, location preferences, and bed availability. You are encouraged to visit a few homes before confirming admission. Our nursing home directory includes reviews and fee information to help you compare options.
- Discuss finances with the nursing home's finance team. Once you have a placement offer, the facility's finance department will walk you through the net fees after the ILTC subsidy, and can help initiate MediSave Care and CareShield Life claim applications.
- Apply for MediSave Care and CareShield Life claims if the resident meets the severe disability criteria (unable to perform 3 of 6 ADLs). The nursing home administration team can often assist with the AIC eFASS applications, or you can apply at aic.sg using Singpass. Allow 6–8 weeks for processing.
- Check CHAS eligibility for outpatient needs. If the senior requires GP or dental visits outside the nursing home, ensure they have a valid CHAS card. Apply at go.gov.sg/chas or at an AIC Link centre.
Assistive equipment subsidies
For mobility aids, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other assistive equipment, three further schemes apply alongside the main eldercare subsidies above:
- Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) — administered by AIC. For Singapore Citizens aged 60 and above, with monthly household per capita income of S$2,000 or less, SMF subsidises up to 90% of the cost of approved mobility aids (walking sticks, wheelchairs, motorised scooters), commodes, hospital beds, and pressure-relief cushions and mattresses. Application is typically arranged via the hospital/community-care medical social worker or therapist. More on aic.sg.
- Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) — scheme owned by MSF, administered by SG Enable. Subsidises up to 90% of the cost of approved assistive devices including wheelchairs and hearing aids, subject to a lifetime cap of S$40,000. Eligibility: Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with permanent disability and monthly Per Capita Household Income of S$4,800 or below (threshold raised from S$2,600 in January 2026). Applications go through public hospitals or Social Service Agencies via a therapist or social worker (the “Application Admin”). SG Enable hotline: 1800-8585-885. Email: ATF@sgenable.sg.
- Equipment Rental Scheme (ERS, AIC) — subsidised equipment rental for eligible patients receiving home or community care. Discuss with your AIC care coordinator or medical social worker.
See our medical equipment directory for Singapore suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
Does my children's income affect my parent's nursing home subsidy?
Yes, if they live in the same household. Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) is calculated based on the total gross income of all family members living together, divided by the number of people in that household. Adult children who have moved out and live in a separate household are not counted. If household composition changes — for example, a child moves out — notify AIC or MSF so means-testing can be updated.
Do savings or CPF balances affect the subsidy calculation?
For the MOH Portable Subsidy, means-testing is based on household income per person, not savings or assets — with one exception. For households with zero income, the Annual Value (AV) of the home is used as a proxy. If the AV exceeds $21,000, no subsidy is awarded even with no monthly income. Savings balances and CPF monies are not directly counted in the subsidy means-test.
Can Permanent Residents receive subsidies for nursing home care?
Yes. Permanent Residents are eligible for MOH Portable Subsidies, but at lower rates than Singapore Citizens. For example, a PR household with household income (per person) of $900 or below receives a 50% subsidy, compared to 75% for a Singapore Citizen in the same income band. PRs born in 1980 or later are also covered by CareShield Life on the same enrolment terms as Singapore Citizens.
What if the subsidised nursing home rate is still unaffordable?
Families in genuine financial hardship may apply for additional support through the Medifund (the medical endowment safety net for Singapore Citizens who cannot afford subsidised medical bills) or the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF). These are means-tested assistance schemes. Speak to a medical social worker at a polyclinic, public hospital, or AIC Link centre to explore all options. No eligible Singapore Citizen should be unable to access care due to financial constraints.
If both parents need nursing home care, are they assessed separately?
Each resident is assessed individually for the nursing home subsidy. However, household income is calculated per household. Once one parent is admitted to a nursing home and is no longer part of the residential household, the household composition changes, which can affect the household income (per person) for the remaining household members. Inform AIC or MSF of any change in household composition so means-testing records are kept current for both parents.