STATISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS BY SENIORS TO AIC FOR FUNDING OF HEARING AIDS PURCHASE AND RANGE OF FUNDING

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3205

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 11 NOVEMBER 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong

MP for Hougang SMC

Question No. 6808

To ask the Minister for Health in the past three years (a) how many applications have been made by Singaporean seniors to the Agency for Integrated Care for funding to purchase hearing aids outside of, or not having qualified for assistance under, the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund or the Assistive Technology Fund; and (b) of which, how many succeeded in their applications and what is the range of funding allowed for the successful applicants.

Answer

1 The Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) and Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) provide eligible seniors with means-tested subsidies of up to 90% for hearing aids. On average, of the 4,000 unique seniors who applied for SMF subsidies for hearing aids annually since 2019, more than 99% were successful, with most of them receiving 90% subsidy. In 2024, the Annual Value and Per Capita Household Income criteria for means-tested subsidy schemes, including SMF and ATF, were revised, to ensure that Singaporeans with greater needs continue to receive support.

2 Seniors who do not qualify for SMF or ATF subsidies and require financial assistance for hearing aids can approach AIC, SG Enable or Medical Social Workers at our public hospitals. Depending on their individual circumstances, the seniors can be matched to other forms of financial support available including from Social Service Agencies and charities. The Government does not track the applications made by Singaporean seniors for such alternative funding for hearing aids.

3 The Government will continue to review SMF and ATF regularly to ensure that the schemes provide adequate support to those in need.