AIC Seniors' Mobility & Enabling Fund (SMF) Singapore — Complete Guide
The SMF is one of the most useful government subsidies for Singapore seniors. It covers assistive devices — walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, hospital beds, fall detection devices and more — at up to 90% of the device cost or the cap for that device, whichever is lower. Grab bars are not SMF: HDB covers those under EASE. Here's everything you need to know.
What is the AIC SMF?
The Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) is a government subsidy programme administered by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). It helps elderly Singaporeans and their caregivers afford assistive devices and home modification services that improve safety and independence at home.
SMF subsidises both the purchase of assistive products (walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, hearing aids, fall detection devices — but not grab bars, which HDB covers under EASE) and the cost of installation where applicable. The subsidy level depends on the means test — eligible seniors can receive up to 90% off the cost of the device, or the maximum subsidy cap for that device, whichever is lower.
Who Qualifies for AIC SMF?
To be eligible for AIC SMF, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident (PR), aged 60 and above
- Not residing in a nursing home or an MSF sheltered home
- Assessed by an occupational therapist (OT) or healthcare professional to need the assistive device
- Means-tested: household monthly income ≤ S$4,800 per person (OR Annual Value of home below S$21,000 if no income)
- Must not already own the same device purchased under a previous SMF claim
Note: Subsidy percentages are reviewed by AIC and may change. Always verify current rates at aic.sg →.
What Products Are Covered?
AIC SMF covers a wide range of assistive devices. The most commonly claimed products include:
Bathroom & toilet
Shower chair or stool, Raised toilet seat, Toilet safety frame, Commode chair
Mobility
Walking stick, Quad cane, Walker or rollator, Wheelchair (manual), Motorised scooter
Bedroom
Bed rail, Hospital bed, Pressure relief cushion or mattress
Fall detection
GPS tracking pendant, Fall detection watch
Hearing & vision
Hearing aids, Spectacles and vision aids
How to Apply for AIC SMF — Step by Step
- Get a professional assessment. Visit a polyclinic, community hospital, or AIC-appointed healthcare provider. An occupational therapist or doctor assesses which devices your loved one needs and issues a recommendation.
- Choose an AIC-approved vendor. Purchase only from vendors approved by AIC under the SMF programme. HomeWise lists SMF-eligible products and tells you which local suppliers qualify.
- Submit the SMF application. Your vendor typically helps process the application. You will need the assessment recommendation, NRIC, and income documents (CPF statements or NOA).
- AIC reviews and approves. This takes up to 15 working days once your application and documents are complete — longer if anything is missing, and longer again for motorised devices, which need an extra assessment.
- Receive the device at the subsidised price. Once approved, you pay only your co-payment portion. The vendor claims the subsidy directly from AIC.
SMF also covers home healthcare items
Alongside devices, SMF subsidises up to 80% of the cost of consumable home healthcare items: adult diapers and underpads, milk feeds, catheters and catheter sets, ostomy care items, nasogastric tubes and wound dressings.
This half carries one extra condition. The senior must already be receiving home nursing, home medical, home palliative care or day hospice care. Someone living at home without any of those services does not qualify for the items, even if they qualify for devices.
Details at aic.sg →
Apply and get approved before you buy
SMF cannot be claimed back after the fact. AIC states plainly that purchases made in advance cannot be reimbursed — so a device bought before approval gets no subsidy, even if everything else about the claim is in order. This catches families most often around a hospital discharge, when a wheelchair or shower chair is needed in a hurry. The order is: assessment, application, approval, then purchase.
SMF vs HDB EASE — What's the Difference?
| Feature | AIC SMF | HDB EASE |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Assistive devices you buy (walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, fall detection) | Fittings HDB installs under EASE (grab bars, handrails, ramps, widened doorways, anti-slip treatment) |
| Age requirement | 60+ or assessed disability | 65+ (at least one occupant) |
| Property type | Any | HDB flats only |
| Subsidy level | Up to 90% off device cost, capped per device | S$2,500 to S$5,000 off modification cost |
| Who applies | Caregiver or senior + approved vendor | Homeowner directly to HDB |
You can apply for both SMF and HDB EASE — they are not mutually exclusive. Read our HDB EASE guide →
Scheme rules checked against AIC on 12 September 2026. Government subsidy conditions change — confirm with the AIC SilverLine on 1800 650 6060 before you apply. The HDB EASE figures on this page have not been re-checked since they were written.
Related guides & products
Can PRs Apply for SMF?
Yes. Singapore Permanent Residents aged 60 and above qualify for SMF on the same terms as Citizens.
PRs became eligible in January 2026. The remaining criteria are identical: household monthly income of S$4,800 or less per person (or an Annual Value below S$21,000 where there is no income), not residing in a nursing home, and assessed by a qualified assessor. Note that HDB EASE is different — both EASE schemes require a Singapore Citizen household.
Check Your SMF Eligibility Instantly
A few short questions. HomeWise shows which schemes may apply and what to ask AIC or HDB. A guide, not a decision.
Check My Eligibility →