As our loved ones grow older, many families consider hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) to provide daily care and companionship. However, hiring a maid can be costly — and that’s why understanding the available maid subsidy for elderly parents in Singapore is so important.
The good news? The Singapore government offers several grants and subsidies to help ease the financial burden of hiring a helper for elderly parents.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- ✅ The different government grants and maid subsidies available
- ✅ How to qualify and apply
- ✅ Practical ways to reduce costs significantly
🧾 Maid Subsidy for Elderly Parents in Singapore: MDW Levy Concession
If your parent requires regular assistance at home, you may qualify for a reduced monthly levy when hiring a maid.
🔹 What Is It?
Instead of paying the standard $300/month FDW levy, eligible employers pay only $60/month.
💡 This is one of the most widely used maid subsidies for elderly parents in Singapore.
🔹 Who Qualifies?
For Singapore Citizens (SC):
- The elderly parent must be 67 years old or older
- Or require help with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL) (e.g., bathing, dressing, toileting)
- All parties (employer, parent, FDW) must live under the same roof
For Permanent Residents (PR):
- The elderly parent must be related to the SC employer (parent, parent-in-law, grandparent)
- Same residency and ADL requirements apply
🔹 How to Apply:
This is applied automatically during the FDW work permit process via MOM. Just ensure eligibility criteria are met.
💰 Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) — Another Key Maid Subsidy for Elderly Parents in Singapore
The Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) provides monthly financial support to help caregivers manage the cost of caring for an elderly or disabled family member at home — which includes hiring a helper.
🔹 How Much Can You Get?
| Household Income per Person | Monthly Payout |
|---|---|
| ≤ $1,500 or AV ≤ $21,000* | $600/month |
| $1,501 – $3,600 | $400/month |
| $3,601 – $4,800 | $200/month |
| > $4,800 | Not eligible |
*AV = Annual Value of main residence
🔹 Who Qualifies?
- Care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen or PR
- Must be 65+ or aged 16+ with disability
- Needs help with at least one ADL
- Lives at home (not in nursing home)
🔹 How to Apply:
Apply via AIC’s eFASS portal using Singpass. A Functional Assessment Report (FAR) from a GP may be required.
🎁 Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS)
If your parent is part of the Pioneer Generation, they may qualify for an extra $100/month if they need help with three or more ADLs.
🔹 Who Qualifies?
- Must be a Pioneer Generation member
- Requires assistance with at least three ADLs
- FAR from GP or accredited assessor needed
You may find more information here.
🏦 Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund
While not directly a maid subsidy for elderly parents in Singapore, this fund helps offset the cost of essential care items.
🔹 What Does It Cover?
- Assistive devices (e.g., walking frames, wheelchairs)
- Home healthcare items (e.g., adult diapers, wipes)
🔹 Who Qualifies?
- Care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen aged 60+
- Per capita household income ≤ $2,000/month
- Or AV of residence ≤ $21,000/year
- Must be receiving services from approved providers
🧑🏫 Caregiver Training Grant (CTG)
Want to make sure your helper is fully trained to handle your parent’s specific needs?
The Caregiver Training Grant (CTG) gives you up to $400/year to train your helper or even yourself in elder care techniques.
🔹 Who Qualifies?
- Care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen or PR
- Aged 65+, or with a disability
- Per person household income ≤ $2,800/month
🔹 How to Use It
You can use this grant to cover training courses offered by approved providers. It’s a great way to ensure your caregiver can provide high-quality and appropriate support for your loved ones.
📋 Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Maid Subsidies
Navigating this process can feel complex. However, following these steps can help simplify it:
1️⃣ Check Eligibility
Review each scheme’s requirements carefully.
2️⃣ Prepare Documents
- Identity cards
- Proof of income
- Medical reports or FAR (if required)
3️⃣ Submit Applications
- HCG → via AIC website
- MDW Levy Concession → Applied automatically via MOM
- PioneerDAS → Through your GP or care provider
4️⃣ Hire Your Helper
Once approved, start looking for a trained maid who understands elder care and your parent’s specific needs.
👨💼 Why Partner With Us for Elder Care Maids?
At Fair Care, we believe in treating both employers and helpers with fairness, transparency, and respect.
Our services include:
- ✅ Trained caregivers from Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines
- ✅ Personalised matching based on your parent’s needs
- ✅ Ongoing support before and after placement
- ✅ Guidance through every maid subsidy for elderly parents in Singapore application process
We don’t just match you with any helper — we find someone who’s genuinely suited to support your parent with dignity and compassion.
📞 Need Help Applying for Subsidies or Finding the Right Helper?
Navigating these grants can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone.
👉 Book a Free Consultation — Our team will walk you through the entire process — from choosing the right helper to claiming every dollar you’re entitled to.
🔗 Useful Links
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I combine multiple grants when hiring a maid for elderly parents?
Yes! Most families qualify for multiple subsidies, such as the HCG, MDW Levy Concession, and Caregiver Training Grant, which together can significantly reduce the cost of hiring a helper.
Q2: Do I need a doctor’s report to apply?
Some grants, such as the HCG and PioneerDAS, require a Functional Assessment Report (FAR) from a GP or accredited assessor.
Q3: What if my elderly parent doesn’t live with me?
Most grants require the elderly parent and FDW to live in the same household. If not, you may still qualify for partial benefits depending on your case.