Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) Singapore: How to Use It to Hire a Domestic Helper

Caring for a loved one who is elderly or has a disability can be both emotionally and financially demanding. To ease this burden, the Singapore government offers the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) — a monthly cash payout to support families in their caregiving responsibilities.

What is the Home Caregiving Grant?

The Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) is a financial assistance scheme that provides monthly payouts of up to $400 to eligible Singaporean households. This grant is designed to recognise the efforts of caregivers and help reduce the out-of-pocket costs of caregiving — such as hiring a domestic helper to assist with daily care tasks at home.

HCG Payout Amounts

The amount of HCG a household receives depends on their income level or the annual value of their residence:

Household Monthly Income per PersonMonthly HCG Payout$0 – $1,500 (or Annual Value of Residence ≤ $21,000 for households without income)$400$1,501 – $3,600$250

Note: Households that own multiple properties will receive the lower tier of $250 per month.

From April 2026, enhancements to the HCG will be introduced, as announced in Budget 2025, to provide further support to caregivers. Stay tuned for updates.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the Home Caregiving Grant, the care recipient (your loved one who needs care) must meet the following criteria:

1. Nationality and Residency

• Must be a Singapore Citizen, or a Permanent Resident with a Singapore Citizen spouse, parent, or child
• Must be living in Singapore

2. Means Testing

• Household monthly income per person must be $3,600 or less; or
• For households without income, the Annual Value of property must be $21,000 or less
• Those owning multiple properties qualify for the $250 payout tier

3. Care Needs

• Must permanently require help with at least 3 of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
  • Feeding
  • Dressing
  • Toileting
  • Washing
  • Walking or moving around
  • Transferring (e.g. from bed to chair)

4. Not Living in a Long-Term Care Facility

• Care recipient must not be living in a residential care institution (e.g. nursing home)

How to Apply

You can apply for the Home Caregiving Grant online through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) eServices portal. The application will involve:

• Submitting the care recipient’s NRIC and income documents
• Undergoing an assessment for eligibility (including evaluation of ADLs)
• Selecting a bank account to receive the monthly payout

If you need assistance, you can also visit an AIC Link office or reach out to AIC’s hotline.

How the Grant Helps with Hiring a Domestic Helper

Hiring a foreign domestic helper is a common and practical solution for families providing home care. The monthly Home Caregiving Grant can help offset part of the helper’s salary or contribute to levy payments, easing the financial load of long-term caregiving.

At gentleHelp, we understand the challenges of finding affordable and reliable home care. Whether you're caring for an elderly parent, a family member with mobility issues, or someone with special needs, we’re here to guide you through hiring a helper that suits your family's care requirements — and support you in making the most of available grants like the HCG.

Need help hiring a caregiver or applying for the HCG?
Contact gentleHelp for expert advice and caregiving solutions tailored to your needs.

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