Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)

The EASE programme subsidises items installed in your flat to improve mobility and safety within the flat. It is offered as part of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). 

If your block does not qualify for HIP or if you wish to install the improvement items earlier instead of waiting for HIP, you may apply under EASE (Direct Application).

Read on for the eligibility conditions for EASE (Direct Application), and more details on EASE.

 

Eligibility conditions

Singapore Citizen households (sold flat) and Registered Tenants (rental flat) qualify for EASE (Direct Application), if a family member is aged:

• 65 years old and above; or
• Between 60 and 64 years old and requires assistance with at least 1 or more of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL)*

*Note: ADL refers to daily self-care activities within an individual’s place of residence. These activities include washing/ bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility, and transferring.

 

EASE improvements

All the improvement items come with a 1-year warranty and can only be installed where technically feasible. 

EASE improvement items	Quantity	Location(s) for installation/ works	Note
Items suitable for fall prevention/ additional support
Grab bars (Linear, fixed U-profile, and foldable U-profile)  Available in white and reddish-brown	1st set: 8 or 10 pieces (set of 8 grab bars for combined toilet/ bathroom or set of 10 grab bars for separate toilet/ bathroom) 2nd set: 6 pieces  (applicable if your flat has at least 2 toilets/ bathrooms)	Within flat (e.g. toilet/ bathroom entrance, inside toilet/ bathroom)  Main entrance	HDB will determine the type of grab bars that will be installed for your flat based on considerations such as the configuration of each toilet, other site conditions, resident’s needs, and Occupational Therapist’s advice.  1 U-profile grab bar is equivalent to 2 linear grab bars.
Slip-resistant treatment to existing flooring	Up to 2 treatments if your flat has at least 2 toilets/ bathrooms	Toilet/ bathroom	The slip-resistant treatment may last about 3 to 5 years with regular cleaning and proper usage. It is not recommended to wash treated floor tiles with acidic solutions such as bleach, as this will cause the treatment to wear off faster. You may make your own private arrangements to reapply the slip-resistant treatment after the treatment has worn off.
Lowering of entrance kerb	1 combined toilet/ bathroom or 1 separate toilet/ bathroom	Toilet/ bathroom	Height criterion: existing toilet/ bathroom entrance kerb must be higher than 20mm Matching tiles, where available, will be provided for the area where works are carried out. HDB will assess and advise residents if relocation of the wash basin and/ or a temporary toilet is required. See ‘Subsidised cost’ for flat owner’s share of the costs for the relocation work.
Wall-mounted foldable shower seat	1 piece	Bathroom
Handrail	1 piece	Main entrance with step(s)
Items suitable for wheelchair/ commode users
Ramps (single and multi-step) a. Ramp (single-step) b. Portable ramp (multi-step) c. Customised ramp (for 2 to 3 steps) d. Customised ramp (more than 3 steps) e. Wheelchair lifter (multi-step)	a. Up to a maximum of 5 ramps for single-step or b. Up to a maximum of 4 ramps for single-step and 1 ramp/ wheelchair lifter (multi-step)	Single step within flat (e.g. toilet/ bathroom entrance  Single-step or multi-step main entrance	Ramps (single and multi-step) and wheelchair lifter are recommended for seniors who require a wheelchair. If your flat has a multi-step main entrance, you will be offered the portable ramp, if it is technically feasible and meets the needs of the user(s). A customised ramp will be offered if it is technically not feasible to install the portable ramp. Please note that holes will need to be drilled at the entrance step(s) to install a pair of brackets that support and keep the ramp in place when in use. The wheelchair lifter will only be offered, if ramp solutions are not feasible. You may be required to replace/ modify the metal gate at your own cost before the wheelchair lifter can be installed. HDB’s appointed contractor will assess the site condition and advise you before proceeding with the installation. The wheelchair lifter requires regular maintenance for safety reasons. You will need to pay a recurrent maintenance cost of up to $152.60 yearly (indicative rate inclusive of 9% GST and not including replacement of parts if required) for a minimum of 2 years, i.e. second and third year, after the 1-year warranty period provided by the contractor. Thereafter, it is important that you continue engaging the contractor to carry out regular maintenance and servicing twice a year, at a maintenance cost of up to $261.60 yearly (indicative rate inclusive of 9% GST and not including replacement of parts if required).
Widening of entrance	1 combined toilet/ bathroom or 1 separate toilet/ bathroom	Toilet/ bathroom	Width criterion: existing toilet/ bathroom entrance must be less than 700mm. It will be widened to a maximum of 900mm. Matching tiles, where available, will be provided for the area where works are carried out. HDB will assess and advise residents if relocation of the wash basin and/ or a temporary toilet is required. See ‘Subsidised cost’ for flat owner’s share of the costs for the relocation work.
Items suitable for seniors’ safety and well-being
Bidet spray	Up to 2 pieces	Next to pedestal pan
Rocker switch	Set of 12 rocker switches	Within flat where there are existing small lighting switches	HDB will assess and advise residents if replacement of existing electrical wires, SP Services Ltd (SPSL) testing, and or replacement of existing Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) are required. See ‘Subsidised cost’ for the flat owner’s share of the costs.
Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD)	1 piece; 2 pieces for Executive Maisonette (to comply with SCDF’s Fire Code)	Living room	A Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) provides early warning when a fire breaks out or when smoke is detected, giving you and your family crucial time to evacuate safely. From 1 June 2018, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has mandated that all new and existing homes carrying out fire safety works must be installed with an HFAD. While installation of an HFAD is not mandatory for existing homes not undergoing fire safety works, we strongly encourage you to install an HFAD to improve fire safety. For seniors and vulnerable households, an HFAD provides an essential layer of protection and peace of mind, ensuring you can seek help quickly in an emergency.

 

Subsidised cost

EASE is a highly subsidised programme by the Government.

Your share of the cost of the selected improvement items is based on your flat type, as shown in the table below. 

The amount payable is inclusive of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). You may pay in cash or via electronic payment to the Contractors upon completion of the installation works.

 

S/N	EASE Improvement Items	Amount before Government Subsidy ($)	Flat Owner's Share of Cost by Flat Type ($)
			1/2/3-room	4-room	5-room	Executive
1	Grab bars [1]
	a. First toilet (1st set: 8 or 10 pieces)	523.20	26.15	39.20	52.30	65.40
	b. Second toilet (2nd set: 6 pieces)	305.20	15.25	22.85	30.50	38.15
2	Slip-resistant treatment  (1 toilet/ bathroom)	239.80	11.95	17.95	23.95	29.95
3	Lowering of toilet/ bathroom entrance kerb[2]	959.20	47.95	71.90	95.90	119.90
4	Widening and lowering of toilet/ bathroom entrance/ kerb[2]	1,547.80	77.35	116.05	154.75	193.45
5	Wall-mounted foldable shower seat	305.20	15.25	22.85	30.50	38.15
6	Handrail at main entrance with step(s)	632.20	31.60	47.40	63.20	79.00
7	Widening of toilet/ bathroom entrance[2]	1,308.00	65.40	98.10	130.80	163.50
8	Ramps
	a. 1 single-step ramp	283.40	14.15	21.25	28.30	35.40
	b. 1 portable ramp	763.00	38.15	57.20	76.30	95.35
	c. 1 customised ramp for 2 to 3 steps	1,744.00	87.20	130.80	174.40	218.00
	d. 1 customised ramp for more than 3 steps	4,360.00	218.00	327.00	436.00	545.00
	e. 1 wheelchair lifter	5,995.00	299.75	449.60	599.50	749.35
9	Bidet spray (1 piece)	65.40	3.25	4.90	6.50	8.15
10	Rocker switch[3] (set of 12)	272.50	13.60	20.40	27.25	34.05
11	Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) (1 piece)	119.90	6.00	9.00	12.00	15.00

 

Note: 
1) You will pay a flat rate on a per set basis, even if the number of grab bars installed on site is fewer than the maximum number of 8 or 10 (depending on type of toilet) for the first toilet or 6 for the second toilet. The remaining grab bars that are not installed will not be given to you, as the grab bars are offered as a set and on a supply-and-install basis. 
2) HDB will assess and advise residents if:
a) relocation of the wash basin is required. The flat owner’s share of the cost to relocate the wash basin, if required, ranges between $9.80 and $24.50. 
b) a temporary toilet is required. The flat owner’s share of the costs for provision of a temporary toilet during the works, if required, ranges between $13.05 and $32.70.
3) HDB will assess and advise residents if:
a) replacement of existing electrical wires and SP Services Ltd (SPSL) testing are required. The flat owner’s share of the costs to replace the existing wires and conduct SPSL testing ranges between $94.80 and $237.05.
b) a new Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) is required. The flat owner’s share of the costs to install a new RCCB ranges between $7.60 and $19.05.

You may also use our e-calculator to compute the amount payable for your selected EASE improvements. Simply choose ‘EASE (Direct Application)’ under the selection type before indicating your flat type and the EASE improvements you wish to have.

If you are a senior resident living in a public rental flat, your EASE improvement items will be fully funded by the Government.

 

Submit your application

You may submit your application online through the following ways:

• EASE e-Service (available in 4 languages)
• Mobile@HDB app

You are required to submit a Functional Assessment Report if the family member requiring the EASE improvement items is aged between 60 and 64 years.

The Functional Assessment Report must be endorsed by a qualified assessor such as a fully registered doctor with the Singapore Medical Council, and must be submitted together with your application form.

 

Installation of improvement items

Upon receiving the application and the relevant documents (if required), we will reply to you within 14 working days. HDB staff and/ or the HDB appointed contractor will contact you to arrange for a pre-condition survey/ installation date. You can expect the improvement items to be installed in your flat within 10 weeks of application*.

*Note: This excludes solution for multi-step main entrances such as the customised ramp, which may take about 4 to 8 weeks, and the wheelchair lifter which may take about 8 to 12 weeks to be fabricated and installed upon confirmation by the residents after the site survey.

 

Contact us

For enquiries, please contact the HDB Branch managing your HDB flat or call 6225-5432. Our hotline operates on weekdays, from 8:00am to 5:00pm except on Public Holidays. On eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, we operate from 8:00am to 12:30pm.

You may also view our EASE leaflet and videos, or browse the improvement items virtually using the Augmented Reality (AR) feature in the Mobile@HDB app.

 

Android QR	iOS QR

 

If you have family members with dementia, do also check out this 360° virtual reality dementia-friendly HDB home design guide for tips on how to make your home a safer and more comfortable space for them. 

 

Enhancement for Active Seniors (Private Housing)

The Enhancement for Active Seniors (Private Housing) Programme or EASE (Private) will be rolled out in phases starting from 1 April 2026, to benefit households living in private properties.

For more information on EASE (Private), please visit go.gov.sg/ease-private.

For enquiries on EASE (Private), please submit this form to Building and Construction Authority (BCA) or contact them at 1800-342-5222. 

 

FAQ

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Q1: Can I request HDB to replace my existing toilet floor tiles with higher slip-resistant floor tiles?

A1: The EASE package does not include the replacement of floor tiles. To increase the slip-resistance of your existing toilet floor tiles, you may opt for the slip-resistant treatment under EASE (Direct Application), if a member of the household fulfils the age criterion. Should you wish to replace the existing toilet floor tiles, you may engage a contractor to do so at your own cost.

 

Q2: How long will it take to carry out the works to widen both toilet and bathroom entrances (for flats with separate toilet and bathroom configuration)? 

A2: The widening works to both toilet and bathroom will be carried out concurrently and completed within 2 working days (excluding any diversion works), depending on the site situation. Please note that while HDB will implement measures to reduce inconveniences, some dust and noise are inevitable. You may also choose to widen the toilet and bathroom (where technically feasible) one at a time if the site condition allows. In such cases, the works will be completed over 4 working days. 

 

Q3: How long will it take to carry out the works if I request to widen and lower toilet/ bathroom entrance/ kerb, install grab bars and shower seat in the toilet/ bathroom, apply slip-resistant treatment to toilet/ bathroom flooring, and install HFAD in the living room?

A3: The actual physical works for the items mentioned (widen and lower toilet/ bathroom entrance/ kerb, install grab bars and shower seat, apply slip-resistant treatment to flooring, and install HFAD) will take at least 2 days to be carried out. However, if there are built-in furniture obstructing the locations where works are to be carried out, you will need to engage your own contractor to relocate them before the EASE improvement works can commence. If there are services such as water pipe or air-con pipe to be relocated, HDB can arrange with our appointed contractor to do the diversion works. Such diversion works will be subsidised for Singapore Citizen households.

 

Q4: Will HDB use the same tiles as my toilet wall and floor/ kerb when you widen the toilet entrance/ lower the kerbs? 

A4: HDB will use matching tiles where possible. However, as tiles are produced in batches over time, please expect some variations in the tone, colour and/or design.

 

Q5: If HDB is unable to find suitable matching tiles, can HDB upgrade the whole toilet?

A5: If the EASE improvement items are offered as part of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) for your flat, you may opt for toilet upgrading under HIP, which includes replacement of floor and wall tiles. If you are applying for EASE (Direct Application) and wish to upgrade the whole toilet, you may engage a renovation contractor on your own to carry out the toilet upgrading.

 

Q6: Can I choose my preferred type of toilet door? Or are there a few options for flat owner to select?

A6: HDB will provide a standard aluminium bi-fold door. 

 

Q7: What is the maximum width that the toilet entrance can be widened to? Can I request to widen the toilet entrance to as large as I want?

A7: Where technically feasible, HDB will widen the flat’s toilet/ bathroom to have a clear opening of 900mm. 

 

Q8: What is the height that the toilet kerb can be lowered to?

A8: It will be lowered to approximately 20mm to prevent water from flowing out of the toilet/bathroom, subject to technical feasibility.

 

Q9: If I opt to lower the toilet/ bathroom kerb, can I also opt for ramps?

A9: The lowering of the kerb is to facilitate seniors to move in and out of the toilet/ bathroom. If you wish to install a ramp for a single-step toilet entrance after the kerb is lowered, please inform HDB’s staff and contractor during the joint survey at your flat. There must be a minimum height of 35mm to 40mm at the kerb for the installation of a ramp.

 

Q10: Do I need to move out of my flat during the works?

A10: While there will be dust generated during the works, the contractor will clear the debris at the end of each day. You may continue to remain in your flat during the works, or return to the flat after the works are completed if you have alternative accommodation.

 

Q11: Can I use the toilet(s) on the first night if I opt to widen the toilet/ bathroom entrance and/or lower the toilet/ bathroom entrance kerb? 

A11: The contractor will prepare the toilet/ bathroom for residents to use at night since the works are only carried out near the entrance. A shower screen or similar will be put up at the toilet/ bathroom entrance. 

 

Q12: I have existing rocker switches in my flat, but they are faulty. Can HDB replace them as part of EASE? 

A12: The EASE package covers replacement of normal switches with rocker switches, to enable seniors to switch on and off lightings in the flat easily. We do not carry out repairs or replacements to existing rocker switches. You may wish to engage your own contractor to replace any defective rocker switches.

 

Q13: Do I need to replace the existing wires/ cables and/ or electrical accessories before replacing the normal switches with rocker switches for lightings?

A13: HDB’s appointed contractor/ Licensed Electrical Worker will assess and advise you if the existing wires/ cables (originally installed by HDB) need to be replaced before the installation of rocker switches. The cost of the replacement, if required, will be subsidised. However, if you have installed any electrical works that do not meet the relevant authorities’ requirements, you will be required to regularise them before the rocker switches can be installed.

 

Q14: How many HFADs need to be installed in an Executive Maisonette (EM) unit?

A14: 2 HFADs will be installed in EM units, i.e. in the living hall and on the second level to comply with SCDF’s Fire Code.

 

Q15: Can I request for HFAD if I do not have a fire-rated main door?

A15: Yes, you may opt for HFAD under EASE even if you do not have a fire-rated main door.

 

Q16: I have carried out the works/ installations on my own. Can I request HDB to reimburse me the cost?

A16: HDB is unable to reimburse you the cost of installation/works that were previously done on your own.

 

Q17: Who can I approach if I need financial assistance with paying the cost of the improvement items/works?

A17: You may approach a social service agency (SSA) to seek financial assistance. You will need to submit relevant information to the agency to conduct means testing, and financial assistance is subject to the meeting of criteria.