A Complete Guide to Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)

One thing that Singapore does exceptionally well is ensuring that there are plenty of avenues for elderly persons to receive financial aid as they continue to age in place. Through such government subsidies, seniors and their families are able to defray some of their costly expenses when it comes to their medical and care needs. 

One of those programmes is the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE), catered towards mobility assistance. 

What is the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)?

Established in 2002, the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) is a government scheme designed to provide financial aid to a small group of elderly Singaporeans who were not eligible for ElderShield at the time. This was because they have either exceeded the maximum age limit or had pre-existing conditions. 

What does IDAPE cover?

The IDAPE can offset a range of medical payments such as nursing costs, medical bills, as well as the hiring of a foreign domestic worker (FDW) to care for the recipient. Depending on their means-test results, eligible seniors can receive either S$150 or S$250 monthly cash payouts.

One of the main benefits of this financial scheme is how there are no restrictions on how the payouts will be used just as long they are used for the care needs of the disabled claimant. 

Am I eligible for IDAPE?

You are immediately deemed eligible for IDAPE if: 

• You are a Singapore Citizen currently residing in Singapore 
• You were born before 30 September 1932 OR born between 1 October and 30 September 1962, but have had pre-existing disabilities since 30 September 2002 
• Your per capita household monthly income is S$2,800 or less OR you are living in a residence with an Annual Value of S$13,000 and below, and have no household income
• You are severely disabled and are unable to perform at least 3 out of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)—washing, toileting, dressing, feeding, transferring, and mobility.   

Do note that Singapore Permanent Residents and other pass holders are ineligible to apply for IDAPE, and only applications from Singapore Citizens will be taken into consideration. 

How can I apply for IDAPE?

There are two parts to this process: a disability assessment, followed by the application itself. 

Assessment

Applicants must first undergo a disability assessment from an MOH-accredited severe disability assessor for an assessment fee of S$100. If the care recipient is unable to make a physical visit to the clinic, an assessor can conduct the assessment in your home for a fee of S$250.

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) has compiled a comprehensive list with over 150 accredited assessors here, which have been segmented by region.

Once the assessment results show that the care recipient is unable to perform at least 3 out of the 6 ADLs, the assessment fee will be reimbursed in full with the first payout. 

Application

After the disability assessment is completed, applicants can proceed to apply directly on the AIC eService portal (eFASS). Upon logging in, navigate to the ‘Apply to Receive Scheme(s) Payout’ section and select ‘For myself’ or ‘As a caregiver’, depending on whoever is filing the application.

Although there is still the option to send in your application physically, applying online is advised as the waiting time for approval is much shorter. 

What happens next?

The processing of online applications may take up to one month due to the high volume of applicants. Successful claimants will be informed in writing and can expect the payouts to be made immediately to their nominated bank account in the following month. 

As long as the claimant remains eligible under the IDAPE criteria, they will continue to receive monthly payouts for their mobility assistance needs unless they opt out of the programme.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How does IDAPE differ from ElderShield?

While both IDAPE and ElderShield are developed to support individuals with severe disability, the eligibility criteria for each scheme is quite different.

ElderShield was founded in 2002 as a severe disability insurance scheme that provides financial assistance to seniors who require long-term care. However, this scheme was only offered to eligible Singaporeans who had MediSave Accounts when they turned 40 years old in 2019 or earlier. 

IDAPE was then created specifically for seniors who do not qualify for ElderShield so that they may still receive monthly cash benefits. Both programmes share various similarities and are only different in eligibility criteria and the amount of monthly payouts. 

What if my elderly loved one lacks the mental capacity to provide consent? 

Apart from the immediate care recipient, a family member or caregiver who is 21 years old and above can submit the application on their behalf. However, their consent is still required in order to move forward with the process. For such cases, additional supporting documents have to be provided. This may include: 

• A doctor’s certification or recent medical report showing that the care recipient lacks mental capacity OR a court order of deputy appointment 
• A photocopy of the bank book or statement (only if you are nominating an account that belongs to the care recipient’s trustee)

Can I apply for the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly if I live outside of Singapore? 

While it is stated that the programme is catered towards Singaporeans, the main priority of this scheme is to provide financial aid for locals currently in Singapore. Therefore, Singaporeans residing overseas will not qualify for IDAPE payouts. 

Find the Right Financial Assistance Scheme For You 

The Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly is just one of the many financial schemes you can tap into. If you think aid for mobility assistance may not be an urgent need for your elderly loved one, there are also subsidies available for assistance with caregiving and daily activities, as well as medical fees. 

Before applying to any programme, make sure to assess your elderly family member’s care needs in order to receive the most appropriate and effective aid as possible. To learn more about the different financial assistance schemes available, take a look at our complete guide to financial assistance schemes for the elderly and caregiver grants to find out which option is the best for you.

Download our app today or call our Care Advisors at +65 6100 0055 for a free care consult.