A required assessment if you are applying for long-term care schemes.
Introduction
The Severe Disability Assessment (SDA) is done by a Ministry of Health (MOH) – accredited severe disability assessor to determine one’s disability level.
Who is this service for
You need to undergo this assessment if:
- You are applying for/ claiming from the following long-term care severe disability financial assistance schemes:
- CareShield Life
- ElderShield
- ElderFund
- Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)
- MediSave Care
- You were informed to undergo a disability status review to determine if you still meet the eligibility criteria for these schemes
- You are applying for CareShield Life and ElderShield supplements from private insurers (e.g. Great Eastern, Income and SingLife)
How this assessment works
The SDA assesses your ability to perform the 6 activities of daily living:
It must be done by an MOH-accredited severe disability assessor.
Assessments are by appointment only and usually take at least 45 minutes.
If you are applying for a long-term severe disability financial assistance scheme on behalf of a loved one who also lacks mental capacity, find out more here.
Cost
You will need to pay the assessment fee first, with some exceptions for CareShield Life policyholders (read more here). It will be refunded if the care recipient is assessed to be severely disabled.
The assessment costs $100 if you visit the assessor’s clinic for the session, and $250 if it is a house call. The cost is inclusive of GST.
How to make an appointment
- Start by finding an MOH-accredited severe disability assessor by checking this list.
- Call the number indicated to make an appointment.
- Bring along any medical reports or hospital discharge summaries to help with the assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my own doctor or therapist for the SDA?
You need to be assessed by an MOH-accredited severe disability assessor listed on this page.
Please ensure they can be found on this list.
Is the SDA assessment cost waived if I am/ my loved one is a CareShield Life policyholder?
The first CareShield Life assessment fee will be waived for CareShield Life policyholders.
If this is not the first time your loved one is being assessed for a CareShield Life claim, there is an assessment fee which you will need to pay first. This will be refunded if your loved one is assessed to be severely disabled.
What do I need to know if I am applying for AIC's financial assistance schemes on behalf of my loved one who lacks mental capacity?
You can apply on behalf of your loved one as long as:
- You are the appointed Donee (appointed under the Lasting Power of Attorney) or Deputy (appointed under the Mental Capacity Act) authorised to make decisions on his/ her property and affairs.
- If your loved one does not have a Donee or Deputy, you can apply on his/ her behalf if you are an immediate family member (parent, spouse or child). Otherwise, you can only apply on his/ her behalf if the immediate family members are unable to do this (e.g. deceased, lack mental capacity or other issues). For successful applications without a donee/deputy, the caregiver or another family member has 12 months to obtain a court order appointing him/ her as a deputy, failing which the payouts will be suspended. Do visit the Singapore Courts website to find out how to apply for a deputyship.
- You may need the following documents:
- Recent medical report stating that he/ she lacks mental capacity
- OR
Doctor’s certification that he/ she lacks mental capacity- If the care recipient is also going for a disability assessment, you must ask if the doctor can do a mental capacity assessment at the same time.
- The form for the mental capacity assessment can be downloaded here.
- The doctor’s certification is valid for six months, unless stated as permanent
- OR
Court order of deputy appointment
-
- Copy of bank book or statement if the bank account nominated to receive the payout belongs to a deputy or trustee.
Can the SDA assessor also do a mental capacity assessment?
MOH-accredited severe disability assessors who are doctors can do the mental capacity assessment for those who are applying for AIC’s financial assistance schemes.
However, you must tell the assessor that you want to do both the severe disability and mental capacity assessment at the same time.
Do note that:
- You have to make an appointment ahead of time.
- The assessor you have selected is a doctor. If unsure, please check when making the appointment.
The form for the mental capacity assessment can be downloaded here.
