FDW Levy Concession for Elderly Care Singapore 2026 — How to Qualify for $60/Month
Updated: Aug 23
Hiring a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW / FDW) is one of the most effective ways to support an aging family member at home. However, the standard foreign worker levy of S$300 per month (or S$450 for a second helper) adds a significant recurring cost.
Under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession (FDWLC) scheme, eligible Singaporean households caring for elderly relatives pay a reduced concessionary rate of S$60 per month. This saves your family S$2,880 every year per helper.
At a Glance:
• Concessionary levy: $60/month (vs standard $300/month) — saves $240/month or $2,880/year • Eligibility: family member must be a Singapore citizen aged 65+ OR a family member with disability • Application: submit via MOM's eService with supporting documents (medical report, CPF statements) • Processing time: 2–4 weeks; levy concession takes effect from the date of approval • Common mistake: forgetting to renew — the concession is tied to the helper's Work Permit, not automatic
Key Takeaways: 2026 Levy Concession
Concession Rate: S$60/month (S$1.98/day) instead of the standard S$300/month (S$9.87/day).
Primary Care Pathways for Seniors:
Aged Person Scheme: Elderly family member is a Singapore Citizen aged 67 or older.
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Scheme: Senior requires assistance with at least 1 Activity of Daily Living (ADL), certified by a doctor through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).
Household Cap: Up to 2 levy concessions per household (requires 2 eligible care recipients).
Crucial Rule: The care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen and reside at the same NRIC address as the employer.
1. Qualifying Pathways for Senior Care
Depending on your parent's or grandparent's age and health status, there are two primary routes to secure the S$60/month levy rate:
Option A: The Aged Person Scheme (Age-Based Auto-Qualification)
If your senior relative meets the age threshold, qualification is straightforward.
Eligibility Criteria:
Care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen.
Aged 67 or above in the year of application.
Resides at the same registered NRIC address as the helper’s employer (or employer’s spouse).
Application Process: Automatic. When you apply for your helper’s Work Permit through MOM’s portal, the system automatically cross-references NRIC records and applies the S$60 rate if eligible.
Option B: The PWD / Medical Needs Scheme (ADL Assessment)
If your senior relative is below 67 years old (e.g., suffering from early-onset dementia or post-stroke mobility issues) or is a Permanent Resident with Singaporean family, they can qualify via a functional assessment.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be certified by a Singapore-registered doctor as requiring help with at least 1 Activity of Daily Living (ADL).
Resides at the same address as the employer.
The 6 Recognized ADLs:
Washing / Showering
Dressing
Feeding
Toileting
Mobility / Walking around
Transferring (e.g., bed to wheelchair)
2. Standard vs. Concessionary Levy Rates (2026)
Household Category | Daily Rate | Monthly Levy Rate | Annual Cost |
First Helper (Standard Rate) | S$9.87 | S$300 | S$3,600 |
First Helper (Concessionary Rate) | S$1.98 | S$60 | S$720 |
Second Helper (Standard Rate) | S$14.80 | S$450 | S$5,400 |
Second Helper (Concessionary Rate) | S$1.98 | S$60 | S$720 |
Tax Note: The IRAS Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief was phased out starting from YA2025. Working mothers can no longer claim tax relief on maid levies; instead, households depend entirely on the MOM S$60/month direct levy concession.
3. How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
For Aged Person Scheme (Age 67+)
Apply via MOM e-Service: When submitting the Work Permit application/renewal for your helper on MOM's portal, fill in the senior family member’s NRIC details.
System Auto-Check: MOM verifies the residential address and age automatically.
Confirmation: The S$60 rate will reflect in your GIRO billing cycle within 1 to 2 bills, with adjustments backdated to the start of eligibility.
For Senior Care via PWD / ADL Pathway
Get a Medical Assessment: Schedule an ADL assessment with a registered doctor, hospital, or polyclinic. The doctor will complete the functional assessment form.
Submit via AIC eFASS: Upload the doctor’s assessment to the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) eServices portal.
MOM Approval: Once AIC verifies the dependency, they notify MOM, and your levy automatically drops to S$60/month.
4. Stackable Caregiver Financial Assistance in 2026
If you hire an MDW for elderly care, the S$60 levy concession is just the first layer of government aid. You may also qualify for:
Home Caregiving Grant (HCG): Cash payouts between S$200 to S$600 per month for seniors requiring assistance with at least 3 ADLs (tiered by household per capita income).
Caregivers Training Grant (CTG): Provides up to S$400 annual subsidy to train your MDW in specialized eldercare skills (e.g., dementia care, safe lifting techniques).
Seniors' Mobility and Healthcare Assistive Fund (SMF): Subsidies of up to 90% for motorized wheelchairs, hospital beds, and home care supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the FDW levy concession for elderly care? → "It's a subsidy that cuts the foreign domestic worker levy from $300/month to $60/month for families caring for a senior who needs daily assistance. You apply through AIC (Agency for Integrated Care)."
Who is eligible for the $60 FDW levy concession? → "Households where a senior living at the same address needs help with daily living activities — assessed on mobility, feeding, hygiene, toileting or supervision. Medical documentation is required to support the application."
How do I apply for the FDW levy concession? → "Apply online via the AIC portal with supporting medical documents. Approval typically covers 12 months and must be renewed. AIC and your maid agency can guide you through the paperwork."
Can I get the levy concession if both parents are elderly? → "The concession is per senior who qualifies — families caring for more than one eligible senior may qualify for additional concessions. Check the AIC rules for your situation."
What happens if my application is rejected? → "Rejection usually means the senior's needs don't meet the daily-assistance threshold or documentation is incomplete. You can appeal with stronger medical evidence — and your agency can help prepare it."
Does the levy concession apply to new FDW hires? → "Yes — the concession is based on the senior's care needs, not how long you've employed the helper. Apply as soon as the senior's needs qualify to stop paying the full $300 levy."
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