How to Apply for Home Care Subsidies in Singapore

Home care lets your loved one stay in a familiar HDB or family home while getting nursing visits, therapy, or caregiving support. In Singapore, affordability usually comes from two layers: cash support (notably the Home Caregiving Grant from AIC) and means-tested subsidies that reduce bills from approved providers (often discussed together with CCSS and community care packages).

This guide walks through the practical application path. For fee ranges and subsidy percentages across home nursing, day care, and more, start with our 2026 eldercare cost guide. For how home care fits beside day care, respite, and nursing homes, see five types of eldercare services and home care vs nursing home.

Step 1: Check you are aiming at the right schemes

Eligibility rules change; always confirm details on aic.sg. In broad terms, families usually check the following before spending time on forms:

• Who: The Home Caregiving Grant is aimed at households caring for an eligible Singapore Citizen with permanent moderate disability (AIC defines this with functional criteria—not a DIY checklist). Some pathways also involve Permanent Residents in specific situations; use the official grant page for the current rules.
• Where: The senior must be living in the community (e.g. own home with family)—not admitted to a subsidised nursing home in the same way as residential LTC. If you are comparing whether to stay home or move, our apply for nursing home subsidies guide describes the residential pathway, which is different paperwork.
• Care needs: AIC relies on a professional functional assessment to establish disability and care intensity—not on self-declared ADL counts alone.
• Means testing: Household Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) and, for some schemes, Annual Value when there is no income, determine grant tier and service subsidies. Our documents for eldercare applications explains the income bundle homes and agencies usually ask for.

Pioneer and Merdeka Generation benefits can sit alongside other support (e.g. for outpatient costs); see how schemes stack in our MOH nursing home subsidies article for the big-picture on means-tested aid—much of the mindset (PCHI, household declaration, Singpass) is the same across programmes.

Step 2: Book a functional assessment

You need an assessment from an approved assessor (e.g. via polyclinic, GP, hospital discharge team, or your provider’s care coordinator). If you are unsure where to start, AIC can advise—call 1800-650-6060 or use the contact options on aic.sg.

• Assessments may have a fee; ask whether it is claimable or bundled under a programme.
• Validity is limited (commonly six months for some purposes—confirm on your form).
• If decision-making capacity is uncertain, follow the current clinical or legal process your doctor or social worker recommends—do not rely on blog summaries for Form 64A or similar instruments.

If you are the main carer and already stretched, pairing assessment with a plan for respite care or reading 10 signs of caregiver burnout can help you pace the process.

Step 3: Gather documents and income proof

Most applications reuse the same core pile across AIC schemes: NRIC for the care recipient and household members on the means-test form, functional assessment / medical reports, 12 months’ income evidence (or no-income declaration plus AV documents where applicable), and bank details for GIRO payouts for cash grants.

• Foreign domestic worker (FDW) households sometimes add work permit or employer documents when relevant to the scheme.
• Download current application forms from AIC application forms—version dates matter.

For a single checklist you can tick off with your family, use documents needed for eldercare applications.

Step 4: Submit the application

Common channels:

1. Through an accredited provider — Many home care and community care organisations submit or guide submissions for service subsidies and related grants. Ask your shortlisted agency what they file on your behalf.
2. Online — AIC eFASS (eServices for Financing Schemes) with Singpass is the usual route for financing-scheme applications. Use the Financing / eServices section on aic.sg if the entry URL changes.
3. Other channels — If mail or email is still listed for a specific form, use only the address printed on that official PDF from AIC (do not rely on third-party copies).

Processing often takes several weeks; AIC has published roughly six to eight weeks for some grant outcomes—chase missing income proofs early to avoid delays. Approval letters should state tier, payout amount (for HCG), and any conditions.

How HCG cash and service subsidies differ

• Home Caregiving Grant: Cash to the eligible household’s bank account, tiered by means test—see current amounts and PCHI bands on the Home Caregiving Grant page (tiers and caps change; we do not replicate a payout table here so you are not misled by outdated figures).
• Subsidised home and community services: Discounted fees from providers (e.g. home nursing visits) via means-tested subsidies—illustrative pre- vs post-subsidy examples for a few services:

For the full 2026 picture (including nursing homes and day care), keep costs of eldercare in Singapore open next to this page.

Quick checklist

• Functional assessment booked or completed per AIC / provider instructions.
• NRIC and household income proofs match the current form’s list.
• Bank GIRO or payout details ready for cash grants.
• Accredited provider chosen if you want help with service applications.
• Singpass working for eFASS.

Next steps

Call AIC at 1800-650-6060 if you need a neutral steer on where to assess and which scheme fits. Then compare home care providers on CareAcross.sg and keep documents for eldercare applications plus home care vs nursing home handy while you decide.

Related: Apply for nursing home subsidies · Respite care · Eldercare services overview · Preventing falls at home