Singapore’s Pioneer Generation, those born on or before 31 December 1949 and who became citizens by 31 December 1986, are recognised for their foundational contributions to nation‑building. To honour and support them in their silver years, the Government introduced the comprehensive Pioneer Generation Package, which comprises a variety of health, subsidy, and welfare benefits.
One vital pillar of this package is the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS), which aims to provide direct cash support to Pioneers who face functional disabilities.
Living with a disability in later years often entails extra costs, for caregiving, mobility aids, home modifications, medical care, or nursing home bills. PioneerDAS acknowledges these challenges by providing a lifelong monthly cash assistance to eligible recipients, giving them more flexibility in managing disability‑related expenses. It complements other long‑term care schemes, subsidies, and insurance support in Singapore’s social safety net.
Table of Contents
Singapore $100 Monthly Payment Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS) |
| Administered by | Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), under MOH framework |
| Purpose | Monthly cash assistance to Pioneers with functional disabilities for care/disability expenses |
| Monthly Payout | S$100 |
| Eligibility | Pioneer status + lives in Singapore + requires assistance with ≥ 3 of 6 ADLs; no income/asset test |
| Required Assessment | Functional Assessment Report (FAR) by doctor/therapist /nurse |
| Application Channel | AIC eFASS (online via SingPass) or paper/email via AIC Link |
| Processing Time | Up to ~4 weeks |
| Number of Recipients | ~50,000 Pioneers |
| Review / Adjustment | Quantum and scheme are periodically reviewed by MOH |
Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme: Key Details
Purpose & Scope
- PioneerDAS is designed to help Pioneers with moderate or severe functional disabilities by providing monthly cash assistance that they can deploy as they see fit (e.g. home care, medical bills, caregiving, nursing home offsets).
- It is part of the broader Pioneer Generation Package, recognising and alleviating the long‑term care burden faced by elderly citizens with disability.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, all these conditions must generally be met:
- Pioneer Generation status
- Born on or before 31 December 1949.
- Obtained Singapore citizenship on or before 31 December 1986.
- Residency in Singapore
- The care recipient must live in Singapore.
- Functional disability requirement
- A disability assessment must show that the person permanently requires assistance in at least three of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
- Eating
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Transferring (e.g. bed ↔ chair)
- Toileting
- Walking or mobility
- The assessment must be done via a Functional Assessment Report (FAR) by a doctor, nurse, or therapist.
- A disability assessment must show that the person permanently requires assistance in at least three of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
- No means test
- Eligibility does not depend on income or assets; there is no means testing required.
- Automatic inclusion in some cases
- Pioneers who are already receiving payouts under other disability or long‑term care schemes (e.g. ElderShield, CareShield Life, IDAPE, ElderFund, MediSave Care) may be automatically included without needing a separate FAR.
Benefit Quantum & Use
The Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS) provides a fixed monthly cash assistance of S$100, amounting to S$1,200 annually. This financial support is given directly to eligible Pioneers to help them manage expenses related to their functional disabilities.
As of the latest available data, approximately 50,000 Pioneers are benefiting from this monthly payout. This reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting elderly citizens who have contributed to the nation’s development and now face the challenges of ageing with disability.
The S$100 cash assistance is unconditional, giving recipients the freedom to decide how best to use the funds. They may use it to pay for home‑based care, engage help for daily needs, cover medical costs, or offset nursing home bills. This flexibility ensures that the assistance can be tailored to each individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
Application & Process
- Arrange a functional assessment
- Visit a General Practitioner (GP) or care provider to obtain a Functional Assessment Report (FAR).
- If mobility is an issue, some services can conduct assessments at the home.
- Apply through AIC’s eService (eFASS)
- Log in via SingPass to AIC’s eservice portal.
- On the portal, choose “Apply to Receive Scheme(s) Payout” → “For myself” or “As a caregiver” where appropriate.
- If the online application is not feasible, you may submit it by email or use hardcopy forms via AIC Link offices.
- If the care recipient resides in a nursing home, one may nominate the nursing home to receive the payout to offset costs.
- Processing & payout
- The processing period may take up to ~4 weeks.
- If approved, the monthly payout will begin in the month following approval and be credited to the nominated bank account.
- The payout may be backdated to cover the month in which the application was made.
- Updating scheme details
- For changes (e.g. bank account, care recipient status), one can manage via eFASS “Manage My Schemes” → “Change in Scheme Details.”
Role in the Broader Framework
PioneerDAS is an integral component of Singapore’s layered support system for long-term care, designed to complement other schemes such as CareShield Life, ElderShield, IDAPE, ElderFund, and MediSave Care. Together, these initiatives form a robust network of financial assistance to support elderly citizens with disabilities and long-term care needs.
The Ministry of Health has also emphasised that PioneerDAS will be periodically reviewed to ensure that the support provided remains both affordable and adequate for Pioneers facing increasing healthcare and disability-related expenses. This ongoing evaluation ensures that the scheme adapts to the changing needs of the population.
A key feature of PioneerDAS is that it is non-means tested, meaning eligibility is not based on the recipient’s income or assets. This sets it apart from other assistance schemes that often require a means test, assessing the household income and asset levels before determining eligibility. This makes PioneerDAS more accessible for a broader group of seniors in need of support.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to prove income or assets to receive PioneerDAS?
No — PioneerDAS is non‑means tested, meaning eligibility is not dependent on your income or asset level. - If I’m already receiving other disability or long‑term care payouts, do I need to apply separately?
In many cases, Pioneers who already receive payouts from schemes like CareShield Life, ElderShield, IDAPE, ElderFund, or MediSave Care may be automatically included in PioneerDAS without needing a separate application. - Can the monthly cash be used for any kind of expense?
Yes, the payout is unconditional in terms of how it may be used (within legal bounds). Recipients can allocate it toward home care, medical bills, nursing home costs, mobility aids, etc. - What if the care recipient cannot travel to a clinic for the assessment?
Certain providers may offer home disability assessments. - How long does approval take?
The application may take up to about 4 weeks to process. - Can the payout be directed to a nursing home?
Yes, if the care recipient is in a nursing home, you may nominate the nursing home to receive the payout, which can be used to offset the nursing home bills.