FDW Levy Concession for Elderly Care Singapore 2026 — How to Qualify for $60/Month
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
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.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Levy Concession at a Glance
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 happens when my elderly relative passes away or moves out?
MOM will automatically adjust the levy back to the standard rate of S$300/month from the date the status changes in official records. You do not need to take manual action, but you should ensure NRIC address updates are made promptly.
Can I get the S$60 concession rate for two helpers?
Yes, but only if you have two qualifying care recipients living in the same home (e.g., two elderly parents aged 67+, or one senior aged 67+ and one young child under 16). One eligible person grants a concession for one helper.
Can I claim the levy concession if my elderly parent lives in a different housing unit?
No. The care recipient and the employer must share the exact same registered address on their NRICs to qualify. If you are moving in together to care for them, update your NRIC address via ICA before applying.
What if MOM did not automatically grant the $60 levy concession?
If your senior relative is 67 or older but you are still being billed S$300, submit a status check request via MOM’s online feedback form. Discrepancies usually occur if NRIC residential addresses do not match in the system.
