Updated on February 23, 2024
Explore the Home Caregiving Grant 2024: Eligibility Criteria and Payment Dates for the $400 Grant in Singapore. As individuals reach the age of 60, carrying out daily tasks such as bathing, eating, dressing, or moving around the house can become challenging. This difficulty is compounded for those with disabilities. Recognizing these challenges, the Singapore Government has introduced the Home Caregiving Grant to provide support for those in need of care.
Home Caregiving Grant 2024
The Home Caregiving Grant serves as an ideal solution for many Singaporean households that employ maids to care for disabled or elderly family members. In situations where both spouses are employed and have a child or elderly relative in need of attention, hiring maid services becomes a practical choice.
Disabled individuals will receive 6 benefits related to Activities of Daily Living through the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG). These include Eating, Bathing, Dressing, Transferring, Toileting, and Moving Around. For elderly individuals relying solely on the Senior Pension as their source of income, managing their livelihood amidst the current cost of living can be challenging. This pressure is further exacerbated when they require handmaid services due to disability.
Who Can Claim a $400 Caregiving Grant in Singapore?
Individuals with severe disabilities and mental illness have the option to request family members to fill out the application on their behalf in order to receive $400 per month through the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG). Beneficiaries must possess a SingPass account to participate in the HCG program. It is strongly recommended to visit the official web portal and complete the application process. Upon accessing the website, you will be prompted to scan the QR code login and fill out the required form.
During the application process, individuals have the flexibility to choose their preferred payment gateway. However, it is highly recommended to opt for electronic payment methods over cash or check payments. After submitting the application, expect a waiting period of approximately 6 weeks to receive the outcome. It’s important to exercise caution and avoid providing personal data to unauthorized websites or sources.
Home Caregiving Grant Eligibility
To determine eligibility for the Home Caregiving Grant, consider the following norms:
- Residency Status: The care recipient must be a Singaporean citizen or a permanent resident with a child or spouse who is a citizen.
- Residence Requirement: Only individuals residing in Singapore are eligible; those staying abroad do not qualify.
- Income Limit: The claimant’s monthly income should not exceed $2,800 to meet income standards.
- Property Ownership: To receive the maximum HCG, the applicant must have one registered property under their name.
- Preference for Maid Services: Many individuals in Singapore opt for hiring housemaids for various tasks related to caring for older family members, especially if they avoid blue-collar jobs.
- Property Ownership and Payout: Citizens with multiple properties are entitled to a $250 monthly payout.
Assess your situation based on these eligibility norms to determine your eligibility for the Home Caregiving Grant.
Reason To Get HCG
When both parents work full-time, juggling the care of infants and seniors at home can be challenging. Here are several reasons why individuals may opt to hire domestic workers:
- Time Constraints: Managing household chores and caring for the elderly requires a significant amount of time, which can be difficult for families with two working parents. Hiring a helper can alleviate the workload, allowing both spouses to actively participate in their jobs.
- Lack of Extended Family Support: Some households lack extended family members who can assist with caring for the elderly. In such cases, hiring a domestic helper becomes necessary.
- Affordability: The cost of hiring a maid is relatively low in the nation, and the government also provides grants to eligible individuals to help cover these costs.
- Preference for Non-Blue Collar Jobs: Many individuals in Singapore prefer not to pursue blue-collar jobs and instead opt for hiring domestic helpers to manage household tasks.
- Regulation and Rights: The Ministry of Manpower regulates the hiring of domestic workers under government supervision. Additionally, domestic helpers are entitled to special rights, including medical benefits, rest days, and fair treatment, ensuring their well-being is prioritized.
HCG Payment Dates 2024
Payments for the Home Caregiving Grant will be made monthly, contingent upon eligibility. Individuals who own more than one property will receive a payout of $250. However, to receive the maximum cash payment, the recipient must be the owner of only one property.
Payments for the Home Caregiving Grant will commence in March 2024 for eligible recipients who have completed the application process. Additionally, recipients have the option to receive additional amounts if they wish to renovate their home to better accommodate the preferences of the elderly.
To qualify for the $400 grant, candidates must hold a SingPass account to verify their digital identity. Detailed instructions for creating a SingPass account can be found in our previous article. For precise details, please visit the home page.