When it comes to providing proper caretaking and financial security to elders, Singapore is far ahead as compared to other countries. It runs several different social welfare schemes and programs that provide financial assistance, proper care, and cost-effective medical facilities to elders and severely disabled persons.
Eldershield and Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) are the perfect examples of those schemes and programs. Let’s talk about these schemes in more detail.
Eldershield
Eldershield is a basic financial assistance scheme for long-term care, especially for severely disabled elders. It was introduced in 2002. At that time, under this scheme, a severely disabled elder could receive a monthly cash payout of $300 for a period of 5 years (60 months). Later, it was revised in 2007. Since then, under this scheme, a severely disabled elder can receive a monthly cash payout of $400 for a period of 6 years (72 months).
All Singapore citizens and permanent residents with MediSave accounts are eligible for this severe disability insurance scheme. They get automatically enrolled in this scheme after they turn 40 years old. However, if they don’t want to be a part of this scheme, they can voluntarily opt-out their names by submitting an opt-out Eldershield application form.
So, you are eligible for the Eldershiled if:
- You are Singapore Citizen and live in Singapore
- You are a Permanent Resident and live in Singapore
- You are nearing 40 or have already turned 40
- You have a MediSave account
- You don’t have pre-existing disabilities
Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)
When Eldershield was introduced in 2002, a small group of elders was not eligible for this severe disability insurance scheme as they either exceeded the maximum entry age or had some pre-existing disabilities.
However, the Ministry of Health Singapore introduced another financial protection scheme alongside Eldershield that was specifically for that small group of elders who were not eligible for the Eldershield in 2002, and that is the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE).
IDAPE is a government assistance scheme that provides financial assistance to needy and severely disabled elderly Singaporeans.
Who is Eligible for IDAPE?
Every elderly who was not eligible for the Eldershield in 2002 due to exceeding maximum entry age and having a pre-existing severe disability is eligible for IDAPE. However, there are more eligibility requirements they need to meet to qualify for this financial protection scheme.
You will be eligible for IDAPE if:
- You are a severely disabled person and unable to perform at least three of the following daily activities:
- Washing
- Feeding
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Mobility
- Transferring
- You are born before 30 September 1932 or between 1 October 1932 and 30 September 1962 (both dates inclusive).
- You had pre-existing disabilities as of 30 September 2002.
- Your per capita household income (your total monthly household income divided by the total number of persons in your family or household) is $2,800 or less.
- You have no household income and the annual value of your residence is not more than $13,000.
What are The Benefits of IDAPE?
If you are eligible for IDAPE and you have applied for it, you will be entitled to a fixed monthly cash benefit for a period of 6 years (72 months). The amount of monthly cash payout you will receive from IDAPE will depend on your financial situation and health condition.
As per the monthly cash payout plan for IDAPE applicants:
- If your total per capita household monthly income is from $0 to $2,000, you will receive a monthly cash payout of $250.
- If your total per capita household monthly income is from $2,001 to $2,800, you will receive a monthly cash payout of $150.
- If your total per capita household monthly income is $0 and the annual value of your place of residence is not more than $13,000, you will receive a monthly cash payout of $250.
How to Apply For It?
The application process of IDAPE is completely different from Eldershield enrollment. Unlike the Eldershield enrollment process, you do not get automatically enrolled in this government assistance scheme. Rather you have to follow the entire enrollment process.
To apply for IDAPE, you have to undergo two different procedures that are Severe Disability Assessment and Application process. Let’s take a look at how these both processes are performed.
Severe Disability Assessment
Firstly, you need to complete your Severe Disability Assessment. This is mandatory for every applicant who is eligible and willing to apply for this government assistance scheme.
As per the IDAPE instructions and guidelines, only a MOH-accredited assessor can perform a severe disability assessment. So, to undergo the severe disability assessment process, you have to find and contact a MOH-accredited assessor.
You can find a MOH-accredited assessor by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Health, Singapore.
You can also visit Acacia Medical Clinic for your Severe Disability Assessment. At our clinic, Dr. Benjamin Tan is the MOH-accredited Eldershield and IDAPE Assessor. He is highly qualified and has several years of experience as an IDAPE assessor. He frequently performs both Eldershield and IDAPE assessments and charges a reasonable amount for the same. He also performs Severe Disability Assessment as per the applicant’s convenience if required by the applicant. So, you can also contact him for a hassle-free IDAPE assessment process.
If you want the accessor to visit your home to perform the Severe Disability Assessment, you will be charged a standard fee of $250. While on the other hand, if you visit the clinic, you will be charged a standard fee of $150. Both options are open for you. You can request the assessor to visit your home to take the assessment if your health condition is very poor or you are unable to move to the medical clinic.
Your selected assessor will conduct your IDAPE Assessment and collect your medical information. After that, he/she will prepare your assessment report for further use. If he/she will declare you severely disabled in your assessment report based on your health condition, you will be entitled to receive a monthly cash benefit from the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly. Apart from this, your IDAPE Assessment fee will be reimbursed to you with your first monthly cash payout.
So, this is how the Severely Disabled Assessment process goes on. Once you will complete your assessment process, you will need to move on to the IDAPE application process to complete your enrollment.
IDAPE Application
The application process of IDAPE is not too complex. However, if you think it is too complicated or you are unable to complete this application due to your severe disability condition, you can give rights to your caregiver or any of your family members to proceed with your application on your behalf.
Here is the step-by-step guide to complete your IDAPE application process.
Step 1- Visit the official website of AIC (https://efinance.aic.sg) on your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
Note- Please ensure that you have a strong internet connection and the latest version of the Internet browser. These things are important for smooth completion of your application process.
Step 2- Once you entered the front interface of AIC’s website, find and click the option “I’m a Patient or a Patient’s Caregiver”. Then log in with your SignPass.
If you don’t have a SignPass or you forgot the previous one, you can apply or reapply for a new one via https://www.singpass.gov.sg.
Note- If you have given the rights to your caregiver or any of your family members to process your application, he/she must be 21 years of age or above to do so.
Step 3- To apply for a new scheme, find and click the option “Apply To Receive Scheme(s) Payout” on the overview page.
Step 4- After clicking the option “Apply To Receive Scheme(s) Payout,” you will be asked, “Who are you applying for.” There will be two options that are “For Myself” and “As a Caregiver.” You have to click one of these options. Of course, if you are processing your application by yourself, you will have to choose “For Myself” and if your caregiver will be processing your application, he/she will have to choose “As a Caregiver”
Step 5- Use a checklist to know if you are following all the instructions and have completed all the required formalities. This is a must-to-do task before you process your application further.
Step 6- After choosing the option from “For Myself” and “As a Caregiver,” you have to find “What you need to do” and click on continue to follow up on the task and complete your application process.
Step 7- You may need to make changes in your or your loved one’s existing scheme. Those changes are:
- Update Nominated Bank Account Details
- Update MediSave withdrawal details for MediSave Care
- Withdraw MediSave Care Consent (Only applicable for spousal withdrawal)
- Opt-out from scheme(s)
You can do these changes by clicking on the “Manage my Schemes.” That’s all you need to do to apply for the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly.
