As the population of Singapore ages, more and more individuals find themselves in the sandwich generation – the group of people who have to take care of both their aging parents and their own children. With the increasing cost of living in Singapore, supporting both their parents and children financially can be a huge burden on these caregivers. This is where the government steps in to provide financial assistance to those who need it.
The government of Singapore has introduced several schemes to support caregivers of the elderly, especially those from low-income families. Here are some of the schemes that caregivers can apply for:
Silver Support Scheme
The Silver Support Scheme is a monthly cash supplement for Singaporeans who are aged 65 and above, with little or no means of support. The scheme is targeted at the bottom 20% of Singaporeans aged 65 and above, and provides cash payouts ranging from $300 to $750 per quarter.
ElderShield
ElderShield is a long-term care insurance scheme that provides basic financial protection to Singaporeans who require long-term care, including those who are unable to perform three out of six activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, and eating. ElderShield provides a cash payout of $300 or $400 per month, for up to six years.
Home Caregiving Grant
The Home Caregiving Grant is a financial assistance scheme that helps low-income families to defray the costs of caregiving for their elderly family members at home. The grant provides a cash payout of up to $200 per month, for up to 12 months.
Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession
The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession is a scheme that provides a concession on the levy payable for families who employ foreign domestic workers to care for their elderly family members at home. The concession is available to families who have elderly family members with disabilities or who require assistance with activities of daily living.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
The CHAS is a scheme that provides subsidies for medical and dental care to Singaporeans from lower- and middle-income households. The scheme provides subsidies for consultations, selected tests, and medications at participating clinics.
ComCare Long-Term Assistance
This scheme provides financial assistance to low-income families who have members with long-term caregiving needs. The assistance can be used to cover living expenses, medical expenses, and other essential needs.
MediSave
MediSave is a national medical savings scheme that helps Singaporeans save for their healthcare needs. Elderly citizens can use their MediSave funds to pay for various healthcare expenses, including hospitalisation, outpatient treatment, and long-term care.
Rental Assistance Scheme
The Rental Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to low-income families who are renting a home. The assistance can help to cover rental costs and provide support to ensure that elderly citizens have a safe and secure place to live.
Workfare Income Supplement
This scheme provides financial support to low-wage workers, including elderly Singaporeans who are still working. Eligible individuals can receive a cash payout and additional support through various Workfare programmes.
Caregiving for elderly family members can be a challenging task, but with the financial assistance provided by the government, caregivers can ease some of the financial burden and focus on providing the best care for their loved ones. If you are a caregiver in Singapore, do not hesitate to seek help from the government by applying for these financial assistance schemes.
