Singapore Maid Levy Concession Guide: Eligibility Rules, Grants, and Application Steps

Managing a household in Singapore often feels like a balancing act between career demands and the high standards of care we want for our children and elderly parents. For many families, hiring a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) is the most practical solution to keep the home running smoothly. However, the financial commitment goes beyond the monthly salary. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires employers to pay a monthly levy, which is a pricing mechanism to regulate the number of foreign workers in Singapore. While the standard levy can be a significant monthly expense, the Singapore government provides a substantial relief through the Levy Concession scheme. This guide, prepared by EELIT Agency, serves as an exhaustive resource to help you understand how to lower your monthly costs to just $60 while ensuring your family receives the quality care they deserve.

The MOM Regulatory Framework: Standard vs. Concessionary Rates

To navigate the domestic worker landscape, you must first understand the default financial obligations set by the Ministry of Manpower. As of the current regulations leading into 2025 and 2026, the standard levy for a first migrant domestic worker is $300 per month. If a household decides to hire a second domestic worker, the levy for that second helper increases to $450. These figures are fixed and apply to any employer who does not qualify for a concession.

The Levy Concession is a targeted social policy designed to support families with genuine caregiving needs. Under this scheme, the monthly levy is slashed to a flat rate of $60. This represents a monthly saving of $240 for a first helper, which totals $2,880 over a single year. For families managing tight budgets, this saving is significant. It can be redirected toward the helper’s insurance, better quality groceries, or specialized medical equipment for an elderly family member. MOM dictates that the concession is granted based on the presence of a “protected” category of person living in the same household: a young child, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities (PWD).

Category 1: Families with Young Children or Grandchildren

The most common route to obtaining the $60 levy rate is having a child or grandchild who is a Singapore Citizen under the age of 16. This policy acknowledges the high cost of raising a family and the necessity of domestic help for dual-income households. The eligibility criteria are straightforward but strict regarding citizenship and residence.

The child must be a Singapore Citizen and must live at the same registered NRIC address as the employer. In most cases, if the employer is the parent, the system updates automatically. When you apply for a Work Permit for your helper through the MOM portal, the system checks the records of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). If a qualifying child is found at your address, the $60 rate is applied without a separate application. However, if you are a grandparent who is the employer and the grandchild lives with you, you may need to ensure the child’s address is updated to your home to qualify.

It is important to note the “16th birthday rule.” The concessionary rate applies until the last day of the month in which the child turns 16. After that, the levy will automatically revert to the standard $300 rate unless there is another qualifying person in the household, such as an elderly grandparent or another younger sibling.

Category 2: Caring for Elderly Family Members

Singapore’s aging population has led to clear MOM regulations regarding the Caregiving Levy Concession for the elderly. There are two ways an elderly person can qualify a household for the $60 rate. The first is based purely on age. If an employer or their spouse is at least 67 years old and is a Singapore Citizen, they qualify automatically. Similarly, if a Singapore Citizen parent or grandparent who is at least 67 years old lives at the same address, the employer can claim the concession.

The second way involves elderly family members who are between the ages of 60 and 66 but require assistance with daily activities. In these cases, the age itself does not trigger the discount. Instead, the family must prove a caregiving need. This is where the Functional Assessment Report (FAR) comes into play. If a doctor certifies that the elderly person requires help with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, or feeding, the household becomes eligible for the concession. This specific path requires a manual application through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

A common scenario EELIT Agency handles involves multi-generational homes. If a young couple lives with a 70-year-old grandfather who is a Singapore Citizen, they are eligible for the $60 rate. The key is ensuring the grandfather’s NRIC address matches the employer’s address on the Work Permit application. If the address does not match, the MOM system will charge the full $300, and the employer will have to go through the hassle of applying for a refund later.

Category 3: Support for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

Families caring for a Person with Disability (PWD) are eligible for the $60 levy concession regardless of the age of the PWD, provided they are a Singapore Citizen. This category covers a wide range of needs, from physical disabilities to cognitive conditions like autism or dementia. To qualify, the PWD must be living at the same address as the employer and must be certified by a registered healthcare professional in Singapore.

The certification process usually involves a Functional Assessment Report (FAR) or a valid membership with a disability social service agency. If the PWD is already receiving certain government grants, such as the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) or the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS), the levy concession is often granted automatically. However, for new diagnoses, the employer must initiate the application through the AIC e-Portal. At EELIT Agency, we often advise families to start this process at least a month before the helper arrives to ensure the financial benefits kick in from day one of the helper’s employment.

The Home Caregiving Grant (HCG): Maximizing Financial Aid

While the levy concession reduces your costs, the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) provides direct cash support. For many families, these two programs work hand-in-hand. The HCG provides a monthly payout of either $250 or $400, depending on your household’s means-testing results. This grant is designed to help families defray the costs of home-based care, including the helper’s salary or medical supplies.

1. To qualify for the HCG, the care recipient must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident living in Singapore.
2. The care recipient must require permanent assistance with at least three out of six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
3. The household must pass a means-test, which looks at the monthly income per person in the family or the Annual Value of the property for households with no income.

Applying for the HCG is done through the AIC. If you are eligible for the HCG, you are almost certainly eligible for the $60 levy concession. We recommend that employers apply for both simultaneously. The combined benefit of the $240 levy saving and a $400 HCG payout can reduce the total cost of hiring a helper by $640 every month, making professional home care much more accessible for the average Singaporean family.

Multi-MDW Households and Multiple Concessions

A frequent question we receive at EELIT Agency is whether a household can get multiple concessions if they hire more than one helper. Under MOM regulations, each qualifying person (child, elderly, or PWD) can only be used to apply for one levy concession. For example, if you have two young children and you hire two helpers, you can apply for the $60 rate for both helpers because you have two qualifying dependents.

However, if you have only one young child but hire two helpers, only the first helper will be charged at the $60 rate. The second helper will be charged at the standard “second helper” rate, which is currently $450. To get the $60 rate for a second helper, you must have a second qualifying dependent at the same address who is not already “linked” to another helper’s levy concession. This rule prevents the abuse of the system while ensuring that families with exceptionally high care needs—such as those with multiple children or multiple elderly parents—receive the necessary financial relief.

2026 and Beyond: Looking at Future MOM Regulations

The landscape of domestic work in Singapore is evolving. By 2026, we expect tighter regulations around the welfare of helpers and potentially updated thresholds for levy concessions as the “retirement age” and “reemployment age” in Singapore continue to shift upward. Currently, the age threshold for the automatic elderly concession is 67. Employers should stay informed about potential adjustments to this age limit in future government budgets.

Furthermore, MOM is placing a greater emphasis on the competency of helpers. In the coming years, we may see the levy concession tied more closely to the helper’s training levels, especially for those caring for PWDs or the elderly. Investing in a helper who has certified caregiver training not only ensures better care for your loved ones but also prepares your household for any future policy changes that might reward high-skill domestic care. EELIT Agency stays at the forefront of these regulatory shifts to ensure our clients are never caught off guard by policy updates.

Actionable Steps: How to Apply for the Levy Concession

If your situation does not trigger an automatic concession, you must take proactive steps to apply. Here is the standard protocol for Singaporean employers:

1. Verify your eligibility: Use the MOM or AIC websites to confirm that your dependent meets the age or disability criteria. Ensure everyone’s NRIC address is updated and identical.
2. Arrange for a Functional Assessment: If you are applying based on a caregiving need (not just age), book an appointment with a GP or a specialized therapist to complete the FAR. This report is the primary evidence for your application.
3. Submit through the AIC e-Portal: Most levy concession applications for PWDs or the “young-old” are processed through the Agency for Integrated Care. You will need your Singpass to log in.
4. Monitor your CPF EZPay account: Once approved, the levy adjustment usually takes effect from the following month. Check your monthly levy bill to ensure the amount has dropped from $300 to $60.
5. Keep documentation ready: In case of an audit by MOM, keep copies of birth certificates, NRICs, and medical reports easily accessible.

For families who find the paperwork daunting, EELIT Agency provides full administrative support. We handle the communication with MOM and guide you through the AIC application process to ensure no deadlines are missed and no financial benefits are left on the table.

Real-World Scenarios and Practical Protocols

Consider the case of the Tan family. Mr. Tan is the employer, and he lives with his wife and their 15-year-old daughter. They hire a helper, and the levy is automatically $60. However, when the daughter turns 16, the levy will jump to $300. To prepare for this, the Tans should check if Mr. Tan’s 68-year-old mother, who currently lives in a different flat, plans to move in. If she moves in and updates her NRIC address before the daughter’s 16th birthday, the $60 rate continues uninterrupted. This kind of forward-planning is essential for long-term budget management.

Another scenario involves a household caring for a family member with early-stage dementia. Even if the person is under 67, they may qualify for the concession if their condition affects their ability to perform daily tasks safely. We advise families in this position to seek a comprehensive medical assessment early. Documenting the progression of the condition is vital for both medical care and securing government financial aid.

Daily household protocols should also reflect these care needs. If you are receiving a levy concession for an elderly person, the helper’s work scope should prioritize the care of that individual. MOM views the concession as a support mechanism for caregiving; therefore, ensuring the helper is well-trained in eldercare is not just a matter of safety, but also aligns with the spirit of the government’s support program.

How EELIT Agency Supports Your Family

As a MOM-licensed employment agency, EELIT Agency Pte. Ltd. does more than just match helpers with employers. We serve as your consultant in the complex world of Singapore employment regulations. Our role is to simplify the hiring process and ensure your household is optimized for both care quality and cost-effectiveness.

We provide a comprehensive screening process to find helpers who have the specific skills needed for your qualifying dependents. Whether you need a helper who is experienced in infant care for your young child or one who has undergone specialized dementia care training for your elderly parent, we ensure the match is right. Furthermore, we handle all the tedious Work Permit applications and levy concession checks. We proactively alert our clients when their children are reaching the age limit or when they might be eligible for new grants like the Home Caregiving Grant.

Hiring a domestic worker is a long-term commitment. By understanding the levy concession rules and staying compliant with MOM regulations, you can save thousands of dollars while providing the best possible environment for your family. At EELIT Agency, we are committed to walking this journey with you, providing expert advice and reliable service every step of the way. If you are ready to hire a helper or need assistance with your levy application, our team is here to provide the authoritative guidance you need to succeed in the Singaporean caregiving landscape.