{"id":85826,"date":"2026-09-18T05:59:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T21:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=85826"},"modified":"2026-09-18T05:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T21:59:55","slug":"lower-fees-and-more-places-in-disability-services-by-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=85826","title":{"rendered":"Lower fees and more places in disability services by 2030"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary article-summary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013<!-- --> By 2028, families will pay less for disability services, as the Government lowers fees and increases means-tested subsidies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">More spaces will also be added to day activity centres and sheltered workshops by 2030.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Around 5,000 people with disabilities (PWDs) accessing community and residential disability services are expected to benefit from these changes by 2030.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fee caps for all government-funded disability services will be introduced, with the amounts varying for different facilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For<!-- --> most families, su<!-- -->bsidy rates will rise by at least 10 percentage points. These subsidies are means-tested, and apply to a wide range of disability services, including day activity centres, adult disability hostels and homes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The income ceiling for households to qualify for these subsidies will also be raised. The maximum per capita monthly household income will increase from $4,800 to $6,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This will extend financial support to more middle-income households, and covers about 80 per cent of households with PWDs, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">These moves<!-- --> to make disability services more affordable are among the first set of recommendations by the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities released on Sept 17.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The task force was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/new-task-force-set-up-by-govt-to-support-those-with-disabilities-enabling-village-opens-new-space?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">formed in December 2025<\/span><\/a> to review how support for the PWD community can be strengthened across life stages,<!-- --> <!-- -->and has held several engagement sessions with groups including families and service providers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming, who leads the task force with four other political office-holders, announced the moves on the sidelines of a visit to the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/UJxF6\/2\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Goh said affordability was one of the biggest concerns for caregivers, and some had expressed uncertainty about meeting their loved ones\u2019 care needs over their lifetime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cOver time, care costs can add up. Families hope to get assurances that support will continue to be affordable,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Another key move tackles a growing waiting list for day activity centres and sheltered workshops \u2013 facilities where adults with disabilities can be engaged in daily activities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">MSF will add another 1,300 day activity centre and sheltered workshop spaces by 2030, on top of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/more-early-intervention-spots-lower-student-care-fees-and-5-other-measures-to-support-those-with-disabilities?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">1,000 additional places previously announced in 2024.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Goh said this \u201csignificant expansion\u201d would bring the total number to about 5,800 places.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Families had told the task force that long wait times for such services can be stressful, he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Day activity centres are community-based facilities for those with disabilities who are aged 18 and above and cannot work, while\u00a0sheltered workshops provide work skills training and job support for those with disabilities who can work, but are unable to or not yet ready to take up open employment.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"font-primary-headline-md-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Full recommendations to come in October<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/more-sheltered-workshop-places-independent-living-pilot-started-for-people-with-disabilities?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">Costs for disability services were last adjusted in July 2026<\/span><\/a>, when the Government increased subsidies for residential and community disability services by up to 15 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, and raised the household per capita income ceiling for subsidies from $3,600 to $4,800.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the newest announcements, families of those with higher support needs will see their monthly fees after government subsidies for selected services drop by about 25 per cent to 80 per cent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Lower-income households will pay no more than $10 per month for community-based services such as the day activity centres and Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP), down from between $20 and $60 today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The ESLP equips adult PWDs with independent living, communication, social-emotional functioning and vocational skills.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Government will work with social service agencies over the next few years to expand capacity and carry out the adjustments to fees and subsidies, said MSF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The inter-agency task force, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/community\/new-disability-task-force-to-focus-on-easing-anxiety-over-life-transitions-goh-pei-ming?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">which has looked into areas<\/span><\/a> such as employment and lifelong learning for PWDs, will announce its full set of recommendations in early October.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Health product distributor Wu Ping\u2019s son Sherman Jian, 24, has multiple disabilities and has attended the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living since 2021. Any additional savings will give the middle-income family more room to plan for his future, said the 56-year-old.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/09fb810456900accc3e35b84098317ae1ff3243968ea7c1d8398d238431acb2b?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/09fb810456900accc3e35b84098317ae1ff3243968ea7c1d8398d238431acb2b?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/09fb810456900accc3e35b84098317ae1ff3243968ea7c1d8398d238431acb2b?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/09fb810456900accc3e35b84098317ae1ff3243968ea7c1d8398d238431acb2b\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/09fb810456900accc3e35b84098317ae1ff3243968ea7c1d8398d238431acb2b\" alt=\"Wu Ping (left) and her son Sherman, who has an intellectual disability, deafness, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 pt-08 pb-16\">\n<p class=\"inline text-secondary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Wu Ping and her son Sherman Jian, who has an intellectual disability, deafness, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inline text-tertiary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\"> <!-- -->ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">They currently pay $660 monthly for him to attend the day activity centre after government subsidies, down from $1,135 previously before the July adjustments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Their out-of-pocket costs are likely to fall further with the latest changes. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said in Mandarin: \u201cThese subsidies make me feel that it\u2019s not only the family and parents caring for the child&#8230; There are people walking with us on this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/community\/lower-fees-more-places-in-facilities-for-pwds-among-first-moves-by-disability-task-force\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 By 2028, families will pay less for disability services, as the Government lowers fees and increases means-tested subsidies. More spaces will also be&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85826"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85826\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}