Provision of Home Caregiving Grant to Care Recipients Living Alone but Rely on Persons Residing Separately from Them

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health whether the Home Caregiving Grant may be provided to care recipients living alone but who rely on persons residing separately from them for their care-giving needs.

In October 2019, MOH introduced the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG). The HCG is a monthly $200 cash grant for eligible individuals with permanent moderate disability and the grant can be used flexibly for different care-giving expenses.

To qualify for the HCG, the care recipient must meet the following criteria:

(a) Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident with a parent, child or spouse who is a Singapore Citizen;

(b) Always require some assistance with at least three Activities of Daily Living (ADLs);

(c) For households with income, per capita household income of $2,800 or less, or for households with no income, living in a residence with Annual Value of $13,000 or less; and

(d) Living in the community, that is, not residing in a residential long-term care institution, for example, nursing home.

Care recipients living alone but who rely on persons residing separately from them for their care-giving needs will be eligible for the HCG if they fulfil all the criteria.