If you have ever tried to qualify for government assistance, you’ve undoubtedly already run into the concept of means testing on numerous occasions. Means-testing, primarily, is a technique for figuring out the subsidies that you will get depending on your family income and other parameters to help ensure lower-income households acquire far more higher-income families.
What Is a Household Means Test?
In Singapore, a household means test is primarily a structure for determining who is qualified for government subsidies and financial assistance when employing care services. It further makes sure that those with less money, including lower-income households, get more subsidies than higher income households due to them being the ones who do need them the most.
The Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF), provides older adults with direct connections to subsidized assistive equipment and home healthcare supplies, and the Home Caregiving Grant, provides family members with monthly cash payouts to be used for looking after a relative who has a moderate to severe disability, and the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), which provides Singaporeans with incentives for all collaborating clinics, are a few examples of these subsidies. The majority of applicants are from economically disadvantaged households, even though household means testing is permitted for all Singaporeans applying for subsidies.
Who Are Eligible?
Those applying for subsidies must:
- be a resident or citizen of Singapore.
- complete the admission standards.
- currently being treated by a service provider supported by the MOH.
Please be aware of the fact that this does not guarantee that you will get financial aid. The programs you qualify for and the extent of the subsidy you will earn will also depend on other variables, including gross monthly household income.
What Factors Decide My Subsidy Level?
The amount of assistance you receive is based on the monthly earnings of the household for each individual. The average method for calculating monthly basic employment income for every individual is to divide the overall household monthly income from every one of the relatives who live in your home by the number of family members. All members of the family, including those who are related through blood, marriage, or legal adoption, and who reside at the same residential address as listed on their NRIC, are included in this.
The household means test must additionally take into account the following to calculate the entire amount of subsidies to which one is entitled:
- The individual in need of care, their spouse (if any), and all other family members living in the same home must all declare their respective income per person.
- The number of families residing together in one home
Alternatively, if the family is not supported financially:
- Residential property’s annual value
Ideally, How Much Do I Get?
The sum of subsidies awarded is mostly determined by the results of your household’s means test, which is calculated using your gross income, as well as the specific financial program you apply for. Also, a detailed list of the subsidies awarded for the various kinds of care services is available here.
Are All Healthcare Financial Schemes Need Means-Testing?
Several healthcare programs and subsidies that call for means testing are listed below:
- Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)
- Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
- Intermediate and Long Term Care, Eldercare, and Disability Subsidies
- Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund for Assistive Device and Consumables Subsidies, Assistive Device Subsidy, and Consumables Subsidy
- Ministry of Social and Family Development Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) and Transport Subsidy Scheme (VWOTS)
Such services from these healthcare schemes are frequently offered in long-term care institutions including community hospitals, facilities for chronic illnesses, eldercare centres, home-based programs, hospices, assisted living facility Singapore, and nursing homes.
How To Apply?
The simplest way to submit an application for MSF-Funded incentives is to speak with a member of staff, medical social workers from a local hospital, or a case manager. The MSWs will guide you through all the Means-Test Declaration Forms before assisting you with your request for subsidies.
The results of the household Means-Testing Singapore are also valid for two years. So, your Means-Test scores can still be applicable if you’ve previously been approved for any financial plans or incentives.
Additional Strategies for Saving Money on Healthcare
Even if you are ineligible for any government assistance, there are still methods to save money on a variety of healthcare services. If you’re considering hiring long-term in-home care, we provide a variety of services that can provide complete end-to-end care for a variety of medical conditions.
Acquire Long Term Care Packages
The most cost-effective option to care for your elderly loved one at home if you are willing to put in a lot of hours is to buy long-hour care plans. With the help of these packages, your seniors will be able to get holistic patient care that would help with their relevant problems.
Schedule Visits during the Week
It is recommended to schedule your care visits on a workday if you want to avoid incurring any extra fees. It would be preferable if you could schedule care on a weekday rather than a weekend, weeknight, or national holiday since those times are outside of usual business hours and will result in higher fees.
Arrange for Longer Visiting Time
Hiring a caregiver can help your loved one interact more, receive great emotional support, and have fewer anxieties about caring for them. If you are having a hard time managing the care of a loved one, hiring a private nurse or home caregiver for a longer period of time might help you feel more at ease as you take care of your personal welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Are the Investments outside of My CPF Calculated?
According to the admission requirements, candidates’ savings and non-CPF assets cannot total more than $10,000 for individuals under 60 and $40,000 for all over 60. Also, you can add the sum of all of your cash savings, the total value of every share in your Central Depository account, and other investments with a cash value to determine the following assets.
What Is the Means Test Result’s Validity Period?
The validity of all mean test findings is two years. Applicants must retake the household means test after such period of time.
When Should I Submit a Second Means-Test Application?
Along with your results’ validity ending after 2 years, you must reapply when:
- The number of your household members has changed.
- Every member of the family relocates, changing their home address.
- The total monthly income of the household has seen significant adjustments.
- A family member reaches the age of 21
Alternatively, What Should I Do if I Failed the Means-Test?
Candidates who do not pass the means test probably have the resources to live even without the support of the government. Nonetheless, no matter the outcome of your means test, you are still qualified for a baseline subsidy of 20% for Singaporeans and 10% for Permanent Residents while you are residing in a subsidized ward in a local hospital.
In addition to the means-testing framework, your Medical Social Worker will do a thorough financial evaluation if you decide to request additional subsidies despite the unfavourable results.
There’s no denying that we all could benefit from a bit of assistance, and asking for financial assistance isn’t something to be embarrassed about. Singaporean households don’t need to be concerned with having to cover the entire financial expenses associated with medical care and caregiving totally on their own, thanks to the variety of state subsidies and financial assistance for seniors available and a straightforward application process.
In the government manual on means testing for the variety of grants for seniors in Singapore, find out more regarding the numerous financial plans on offer.
