Singapore’s inter-agency task force on disability support proposed introducing fee caps for all disability services and expanding means-tested subsidies, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on September 17. The policy changes, slated for implementation by 2028, aim to extend financial coverage to about 80 percent of households that include a person with disabilities.
Fee Caps and Means-Tested Subsidies
Under the newly proposed framework, the MSF will establish fee caps across all disability services before subsidies are applied, limiting the amount families have to pay after subsidies. According to the MSF, means-tested subsidy rates will increase by at least 10 percentage points for most families across multiple care tiers, including day activity centres, adult disability hostels, adult disability homes, and transport schemes. Furthermore, the task force recommended raising the monthly per capita household income eligibility threshold from S$4,800 to approximately S$6,000, bringing many middle-income families into the subsidy bracket.
Support for Lower-Income and High-Need Households
Lower-income households will see reductions in expenses. According to MSF announcements, these families will pay no more than S$10 for community-based services such as day activity centres and the Enabling Skills for Life Programme, dropping from current fees that range between S$20 and S$60. Additionally, the task force outlined stronger funding support for individuals with higher support needs, who require more intensive, long-term care structures.
Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming stated during a media briefing at the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living that caring for someone with a disability is a “lifelong journey” where affordability remains one of the biggest concerns. The targeted enhancements are expected to benefit roughly 5,000 persons with disabilities accessing community and residential services by the year 2030, according to MSF projections.
Expanding Service Infrastructure
To match the broadened financial eligibility with physical infrastructure, the task force detailed plans to scale up operational capacity. According to policy reports, authorities will add 1,300 new spaces at day activity centres and sheltered workshops by 2030, building upon 1,000 previously announced spaces to reach a total of 2,300 new slots. This expansion follows the opening of close to 440 new spaces across Queenstown, Bukit Merah, and Ang Mo Kio.
