It can be difficult to estimate the expenses of care whether you are a caregiver or someone who is making plans for your future medical requirements. This is especially true if you or the person you are caring for develops chronic or long-term ailments along the road. Thankfully, there are extensive government health financing plans to help Singaporeans pay for medical or long-term care costs, particularly susceptible populations like the elderly and the poor.
Explore how several of these programs, such as ElderFund, which just debuted, and MediShield Life, can assist you in more effectively managing your medical and long-term care bills.
Introduction to ElderFund
ElderFund, a new initiative for senior citizens to get discretionary financial help, had its official debut at the end of January 2020. It is intended to assist severely disabled those with lower incomes Singaporeans who are 30 and older and incapable to qualify for the incentives from CareShield Life, ElderShield, along with the Interim Disability Assistance Program for the Elderly, have little MediSave money, and have insufficient personal savings to satisfy their long-term healthcare needs. Singapore nationals who meet the requirements are eligible for senior financial grants for approximately $250 in monthly compensation if their senior loved ones have difficulty executing three of the six ADLs.
Elderfund vs Medifund
According to CPFB, ElderFund often provides discretionary support to severely handicapped low-income Singaporeans, whilst MediFund mostly helps patients who are incapable to afford expenses for their medical bills, notably those who are crippled or severely impaired.
Application Steps
To gain access to the eFASS or AIC eService website, use your Singpass. The shorter wait time for application acceptance makes online applications highly recommended. If you cannot complete your application via eFASS, send an email to AIC or go to one of our AIC websites to request a physical copy.
Please contact the senior co-living in Singapore or old age homes where you are getting care if you need assistance with the application. Additionally, residents in nursing homes have the right to ask for payments to be made to the facility to cover their expenditures. Before sending your application, make sure you have read the Terms & Conditions.
Qualifications
The Agency for Integrated Care will generally use the criteria below to assess if an applicant is eligible for ElderFund:
- Incapable of performing at least 3 out of 6 ADLs
- Age of 30 or more
- Someone who is a Singaporean and resides there
- Not eligible for CareShield Life, ElderShield, as well as IDAPE, or no longer receiving IDAPE and ElderShield as a current recipient
Benefits
Except for those who want to opt out of the program, ElderShield will be incorporated automatically into the MediSave accounts of all Singaporeans and PRs age 40 and older. If you are determined by a MOH-accredited evaluator to be seriously disabled, meaning you are incapable to do at least 3 of the following ADLs, you will be able to obtain the insurance benefits. As long as they stay qualified and fulfil the requirements, eligible Singaporeans may receive up to $250 in cash each month, MOH reminded.
FAQs
Are Singaporean citizens eligible for the ElderFund?
ElderFund’s primary goal is to help Singaporeans who reside in Singapore. ElderFund will not be open to Singapore Permanent Residents.
Are Singaporeans who live abroad eligible for ElderFund payments?
ElderFund’s fundamental objective is to help Singaporeans who reside in Singapore. Singaporeans who live abroad are ineligible for ElderFund disbursements.
Who should I turn to if I have a serious disability and needs assistance?
Primarily, you can depend on MediFund and ComCare as an umbrella of protection if you are incapable to pay for your long-term care requirements after applying for all government grants and assistance programs, including ElderFund.
I am an IDAPE recipient, but my 6-year payment term is coming to an end. Can I get a longer payment period?
For eligible Singapore citizens who couldn’t enrol in ElderShield at the time, IDAPE was offered as an alternative program in 2002. The IDAPE plan included a payment length cap, the same as the current ElderShield plans.
In addition to their savings and support from family members, Singaporeans with severe disabilities who have exhausted their Interim Disability Assistance Programme or IDAPE awards can keep using means-tested government subsidies and a variety of moderate disability assistance schemes to cover their long-term care needs. Additionally, they can make use of government disability programs including ElderFund, Pioneer Disability Assistance Scheme, and Home Caregiving Grant.
What resources are available to me if I became severely disabled before turning 30?
Families that require assistance for an elderly who is below 30 and has a severe impairment may be eligible for several support programs, such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s early intervention discretionary assistance scheme. Singaporeans who are struggling to pay for their treatment even after receiving subsidies and other forms of help will receive aid via government-funded insurance programs like MediFund and ComCare.
What assistance is offered for long-term care expenditures if I have a mild disability?
Families that require assistance for an elderly who is below 30 and has a severe impairment may be eligible for several support programs, such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s early intervention discretionary assistance scheme. Singaporeans who are struggling to pay for their treatment even after receiving subsidies, due to inadequate personal savings, severely disabled lower-income folks, and other forms of help will receive aid via government-funded moderate disability schemes like MediFund and ComCare.
If a person has dementia or another form of cognitive impairment, does ElderFund automatically approve them?
Dementia or other cognitive disorders do not guarantee ElderFund eligibility; a severe disability evaluation by a severe disability assessor who has received accreditation from the MOH is still required. This is due to the possibility that the applicant’s functioning skills might be affected by dementia or cognitive decline to varied degrees. The MOH-accredited severe disability evaluators have attended a comprehensive training course to understand how to evaluate an applicant’s level of disability during the severe disability assessment.
Is there a yearly reevaluation? When would it happen?
A severe disability scheme may involve an annual periodic re-assessment to determine if a care receiver still qualifies for payments or withdrawals. No matter how the evaluation turns out, there are no costs for periodic reassessments. Unless new evidence is received that indicates the care recipient’s condition has improved, care recipients who are determined to be permanently severely handicapped will not be subject to disability reassessments and disability assistance schemes restricted.
Can I reapply if I become seriously incapacitated again after my ElderFund reimbursement stopped due to recovery?
If determined to fulfil all eligibility requirements, you may submit a new application and receive ElderFund reimbursements.
If I get disability payments from other severe disability programs, will ElderFund immediately cover me?
ElderFund has stringent financial criteria since it serves as a safety net for low-income Singaporeans who need money to cover their out-of-pocket expenses for long-term care. Additionally, it is intended to be discretionary, giving flexibility to accommodate a range of financial situations. As a result, to enable a thorough evaluation of your non-disability eligibility criteria for the severe disability scheme continues, you have to file an ElderFund application if you want to receive ElderFund payments.
