What EASE Covers
The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) is administered by the Housing & Development Board and targets specific physical changes to ground-floor and upper-floor HDB flats. The scheme does not fund cosmetic renovation. It funds accessibility modifications with a defined list of eligible works.
As of the most recent revision, eligible items include:
- Ramps at the entrance or within the flat (typically to bridge level differences between rooms and corridors)
- Non-slip treatment applied to bathroom floors
- Grab bars in toilets and bathrooms — both wall-mounted and floor-to-ceiling pole designs
- Widening of internal doorways to accommodate wheelchairs (subject to structural feasibility)
- Lowering of door thresholds to reduce trip hazards
EASE does not cover stairlifts, ceiling hoists, or specialist medical equipment. Those modifications require separate funding arrangements, typically through the Agency for Integrated Care or private out-of-pocket spending.
Subsidy Levels and Means Testing
The subsidy level is means-tested against the household's monthly income and the annual value of the flat. Households with a combined monthly income of $1,500 or below typically qualify for a 95% subsidy on approved works, up to a cap of $7,500 per flat. Households with higher incomes receive a lower subsidy percentage, with the minimum typically set at 50%.
The income assessment includes all working adults registered at the same address. If adult children live at the same flat and work, their incomes are counted. This means some older residents whose grown children happen to share the flat face a reduced subsidy despite having little personal income of their own.
Application Process
Applications go through the HDB InfoWEB portal or a registered EASE contractor. The usual sequence is:
- Resident or family member contacts a registered EASE contractor for a free assessment visit
- Contractor produces a scope of works and submits the application to HDB on the resident's behalf
- HDB reviews the application and issues an approval in principle — typically within 10 to 14 working days
- Works are carried out by the contractor; the subsidy is deducted from the invoice before payment is made
- HDB conducts a post-installation check before processing the subsidy reimbursement to the contractor
Practical Considerations Before Applying
The scheme requires the flat to be owner-occupied. Tenants in HDB rental flats are not eligible, though HDB does carry out some basic modifications in rental blocks through a separate estate improvement channel. For owner-occupiers who bought their flat under a resale arrangement with existing modifications, the subsidy may still be available if the items were not previously funded through EASE.
The physical condition of the bathroom walls matters. Older tiles may not hold the load required for a grab bar. Some EASE contractors will flag this during the assessment and recommend retiling — which is not covered under the scheme — before the bar can be installed safely. Residents should budget for this possibility.
Beyond EASE: Other Modification Funding
EASE is the most widely known scheme but not the only route. The Agency for Integrated Care's Home Modification Fund covers a broader range of modifications for individuals with disabilities or those discharged from hospitals and requiring modifications as part of a care plan. This fund extends to equipment like shower chairs and handheld shower heads, which EASE does not cover.
Some residents in acute need — typically those being discharged after a stroke or fracture — are referred to the Medical Social Work team at restructured hospitals. Medical Social Workers can fast-track home assessments and coordinate funding from multiple sources simultaneously.
Registered EASE Contractors
HDB maintains a public list of registered EASE contractors. Using a registered contractor is mandatory for the subsidy to apply. The list is updated periodically, and some contractors operate across multiple HDB towns while others focus on specific estates. Residents can filter by town on the HDB website or call the HDB Branch Office for their area to request a recommendation.
The quality of assessment visits varies. Some contractors conduct thorough occupational-therapy-style reviews; others limit themselves to taking measurements for the items the resident specifically requests. Residents who are unsure what modifications they actually need may benefit from requesting a separate home visit from a social worker or occupational therapist before engaging a contractor.
For modifications beyond the EASE list, the SG Enable database lists equipment suppliers and funding options for persons with disabilities, including older adults with mobility limitations who meet the relevant criteria.
Common Questions
Can EASE be applied for multiple times?
Yes, provided the subsequent application covers different eligible items. The $7,500 cap applies per household across all EASE modifications, so residents need to prioritise if the total cost of needed works exceeds this ceiling.
What happens if the flat is sold?
The modifications remain with the flat. Buyers take the flat as-is. If the incoming buyer wishes to reverse modifications — say, remove ramps — that cost falls on them. There is no clawback of the EASE subsidy upon sale.
Do modifications need to meet specific standards?
Yes. HDB specifies minimum load ratings for grab bars (typically 100 kg) and slope gradients for ramps. Registered contractors are required to work to these specifications. The post-installation check by HDB is partly to verify compliance before the subsidy is released.
Sources: HDB EASE, Agency for Integrated Care, SG Enable