Applications Received under HDB's Enhancement for Active Seniors (Direct Application) Scheme

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for National Development (a) in each year from 2020 to 2022, how many applications has HDB received under the EASE (Direct Application) scheme; (b) how many applications are from households with persons with disabilities who do not meet the age requirement in each year; (c) what is the average waiting time for such applications to receive an approval from HDB in each year; and (d) whether a dedicated EASE scheme can be considered to prioritise these applications.

In each year from 2020 to 2022, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) received 9,400, 8,800 and 10,300 applications respectively under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) (Direct Application) scheme. HDB generally approves an application within seven working days after receiving it, if the applicant has submitted all the required information and supporting documents.

The EASE programme generally targets older Singaporeans aged 60 and older. Applicants who do not meet the age eligibility criteria, including those with mobility issues, are in the minority and HDB assesses them on a case-by-case basis. HDB does not differentiate between applicants with disabilities and seniors with medical health conditions and does not track the number of such applications.