The government has announced plans to reduce fees and increase subsidies for disability services, aiming to benefit about 5,000 people with disabilities by 2030. These measures include the introduction of fee caps across all publicly funded disability services and an expansion of service capacity, particularly in day activity centres and sheltered workshops.

Under the new framework, subsidy rates will increase by at least 10 percentage points for most families. The subsidies, which are means-tested, cover a range of services such as day activity centres, adult disability hostels, and group homes. In addition, the income ceiling for subsidy eligibility will rise from a monthly per capita household income of $4,800 to $6,000. This adjustment will extend financial assistance to more middle-income families, encompassing approximately 80 percent of households with persons with disabilities, according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming, who co-chairs the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities, announced the changes on September 17 during a visit to the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru. The task force was established in December 2025 to review and strengthen support systems for persons with disabilities across their life stages. It has engaged various stakeholders including families and service providers throughout its deliberations.

Goh highlighted affordability as a primary concern expressed by caregivers, noting that long-term care costs often create significant uncertainty for families. “Over time, care costs can add up. Families hope to get assurances that support will continue to be affordable,” he said.

To address growing wait times for day activity centres and sheltered workshops, the government will increase available spots by 1,300 by 2030 on top of the 1,000 additional places announced in 2024. This expansion will bring the total number of spaces to approximately 5,800. Day activity centres serve adults with disabilities aged 18 and above who are unable to work, while sheltered workshops offer work skills training and job support for those who can work but are not yet ready for open employment.

The most recent fee adjustments follow increases made in July 2026, when subsidies for residential and community disability services were raised by up to 15 percent and 10 percent respectively, and the income ceiling for subsidies was raised from $3,600 to $4,800. The latest measures are expected to reduce monthly fees after subsidies by between 25 and 80 percent for families of individuals with higher support needs. Low-income households will pay no more than $10 per month for services such as day activity centres and the Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP), down from current rates ranging from $20 to $60.

The ESLP is designed to develop independent living, communication, social-emotional, and vocational skills for adult persons with disabilities. MSF plans to collaborate with social service agencies over the coming years to implement the expanded capacity and adjustments in fees and subsidies.

The task force, which has also examined employment and lifelong learning opportunities for persons with disabilities, is set to release its full recommendations in early October.

Wu Ping, a health product distributor, expressed optimism about the changes. Her 24-year-old son, Sherman Jian, who has multiple disabilities, has been attending the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living since 2021. The family currently pays $660 per month after subsidies, down from $1,135 prior to the July adjustments, and expects their out-of-pocket expenses to decrease further. Wu said the subsidies provide reassurance that families are not alone in caring for their loved ones with disabilities.