Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE)

Important Notice:

We have resumed works for EASE (Direct Application). We seek your understanding that we may take a longer time to schedule the site survey and carry out the works due to high volume of cases, and the need to comply with safe distancing measures to ensure the safety of our residents, contractors and staff.

The EASE programme is part of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), offered from July 2012. It is also offered separately under EASE (Direct Application). Improvement items installed in your flat through EASE can make it more elderly-friendly, and improve mobility and comfort for elderly residents.

If you live with elderly family members who have dementia, you can check out this 360° Virtual Reality Dementia-Friendly HDB Home Design Guide for some tips. Check out the type of EASE improvement items, such as slip-resistant treatment and grab bars, you can pick from to make your home a safer and more comfortable space for the elderly members of your family.

Read on for more details on the benefits of EASE, the eligibility criterion, and the application procedure.

EASE (Direct Application)

If you wish to get your flat improvements earlier without having to wait for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), or if your block does not qualify for HIP, you can choose to apply under EASE (Direct Application).

EASE (Direct Application) was rolled out to all towns in March 2013. As of 1 August 2014, the age criterion has been lowered to allow more seniors to benefit. The EASE package has also been expanded to cover the improvement items to the second toilet.

From 5 Dec 2018, the EASE package will include the portable ramp and customised ramp for wheelchair-bound seniors living in flats with multi-step main entrances. 

HDB is also offering the wheelchair lifter under a separate pilot scheme. Visit www.hdb.gov.sg/wheelchair-lifter for more details on the separate pilot scheme.

Augmented Reality (AR) for EASE

Browse through the EASE improvement items virtually using our AR for EASE feature in the Mobile@HDB app. Scan the QR code or click the Android link/ iOS link to download the Mobile@HDB app.

Android QR IOS QR
 Android QR  iOS QR

 

Submit your application

You may submit your application through:

You are required to submit a Functional Assessment Report if you are a Singapore Citizen flat owner with at least one member in the household aged between 60 and 64 years who requires assistance for one or more of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

The Functional Assessment Report for the elderly aged between 60 and 64 years old must be endorsed by a qualified assessor such as a Singapore Medical Council fully registered doctor, and must be submitted together with your application form.

 

Application procedure

Upon receipt of the application and the relevant documents (if required), the HDB Branch managing your estate will reply to you within 7 working days. HDB staff and/ or HDB appointed term contractor will contact you to arrange for a pre-condition survey/ installation date. You may expect the process from applying for EASE (Direct Application) to having the improvement items installed in your flat to be completed within a month.

 

Contact us

If you have questions concerning EASE (Direct Application), you can call our Branch Service Line at 1800-225-5432 from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays (excluding Public Holidays).

You may also refer to the EASE leaflet (PDF, 1,045KB) which contains important information that you need to know for direct application for EASE.

Video clips on direct application for EASE are also available for your viewing.

Eligibility conditions

If you are a Singapore Citizen (SC) with an elderly member in the household, the following information details the conditions that qualify you for EASE.

Qualifying conditions for EASE (Direct Application)

SC flat owners qualify for EASE (Direct Application) if a family member in the household:

  •  is 65 years old and above; or
  •  aged between 60 and 64 years and requires assistance for one or more of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL)*

* 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.

Note: Age criterion is not applicable for EASE under HIP.

EASE improvements

There are 3 improvement items in the EASE package. You can choose to have the individual items or the full package installed.

Improvement items

EASE Improvements  
Slip-resistant treatment to existing floor tiles of up to 2 bathrooms/ toilets EASEslip

Grab bars (available in white or reddish-brown) are offered in a set

1st set: 8 or 10 grab bars for first toilet and within flat

2nd set: 6 grab bars for second toilet*

 EASEGrabBar

Up to a maximum of 5 ramps** within flat and/ or at main entrance

a) Single-step ramp

b) Portable ramp(for multi-step main entrance) or

c) Customised ramp (for multi-step main entrance)

* Where technically feasible.

**Ramps (single-step and multi-step) are recommended for wheelchair-bound seniors.

Subsidised cost

EASE is a highly subsidised programme. You pay only a small fraction of the cost. Depending on your flat type, the subsidy can cover up to 95% of the total cost.

Estimated subsidy according to flat type

The total cost for having all 3 improvement items in a flat is estimated at $4,147.20 (full EASE package with customised ramp).

With the subsidy,  what you pay will range from $158.75 (for 3-room and smaller flats) to $396.90 (for executive flats) inclusive of the portable ramp or from $207.35 (for 3-room flat) to $518.40 (for executive flats) inclusive of the customised ramp, before GST, for the full package. You may refer to the details in the tables below.

  Full EASE Package with Single-Step Ramps
Flat type 1-/ 2-/ 3-Room 4-Room 5-Room Executive
*You pay $135.00 (5%) $202.50 (7.5%) $270.00 (10%) $337.50 (12.5%)
Government pays $2,565.00 (95%) $2,497.50 (92.5%) $2,430.00 (90%) $2,362.50 (87.5%)

 

  Full EASE Package with Portable Ramp
Flat type 1-/ 2-/ 3-Room 4-Room 5-Room Executive
*You pay $158.75 (5%) $238.10 (7.5%) $317.50 (10%) $396.90 (12.5%)
Government pays $3,016.40 (95%) $2,937.05 (92.5%) $2,857.65 (90%) $2,778.30 (87.5%)

 

  Full EASE Package with Customised Ramp
Flat type 1-/ 2-/ 3-Room 4-Room 5-Room Executive
*You pay $207.35 (5%) $311.00 (7.5%) $414.70 (10%) $518.40 (12.5%)
Government pays $3,939.80 (95%) $3,836.15 (92.5%) $3,732.45 (90%) $3,628.80 (87.5%)

*Note:

  • All amounts are estimates only. Final amounts will be made known to you before commencement of the EASE improvement works
  • The amount payable is inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is payable in cash to the term contractors upon works completion for EASE (Direct Application)

You may choose the improvement items which best suit your needs to install in your flat. To help you with your choice, you may refer to the breakdown of the cost of each item as shown below:

Items

1-/ 2-/ 3-Room (5%)

4-Room (7.5%)

5-Room (10%)

Executive (12.5%)
  1. Slip-resistant treatment to existing floor tiles of one bathroom/toilet (up to 2 bathrooms/toilets)
 $11.85 $17.80 $23.75 $29.70
  1. Installation of 1st set of grab bars within flat*
 $25.90 $38.85 $51.80 $64.80
  1. Installation of 2nd set of grab bars within flat*
 $15.10 $22.65 $30.20 $37.80
  1. Single-step ramp (per ramp)
 $14.00 $21.05 $28.05 $35.10
  1. Portable ramp
 $37.80 $56.70 $75.60 $94.50
  1. Customised ramp
 $86.40 $129.60 $172.80 $216.00

* 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 first toilet or 6 for second toilet.

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 an elderly resident living in a rental block, your EASE improvement items will be fully funded by the Government.

FAQ

Find the answers to frequently asked questions about the EASE programme.

GENERAL
RAMP SOLUTIONS FOR MULTI-STEP MAIN ENTRANCE
 
GENERAL

Q1: What improvement items are offered under the EASE package?

A1: Under the EASE package, the improvement items offered are:

  • Slip-resistant treatment to floor tiles of 2 bathrooms/ toilets*
  • 8 or 10 grab bars for first toilet and 6 grab bars for second toilet*
  • Up to 5 ramps within the flat and/ or at main entrance*
    • Single-step ramp
    • Portable ramp (multi-step main entrance) or
    • Customised ramp (multi-step main entrance)

*Where technically feasible.

 

Q2: Why is there an age criterion for ad hoc requests for EASE? Would the families that do not have any elderly member but have a disabled younger member be eligible for EASE?

A2: The age criterion is necessary to ensure that elderly households that will benefit the most from the improvements will be given priority. Families without elderly members but consist of other younger members who require EASE improvement items may apply for EASE (Direct Application) through EASE e-Service. These applications, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

 

Q3: Can I have other/ more elderly-friendly items done in my flat?

A3: You can make private arrangements with the HIP/ EASE contractor to carry out additional works. However, items beyond EASE are not subsidised.

 

Q4: With the addition of items in the EASE programme, how long will it take between application for EASE and completion of work for ad hoc requests?

A4: It will take about 1 month between successful application and completion of works, i.e. grab bars, slip-resistant treatment and ramps (single-step ramp, portable ramp and customised ramp). This will depend largely on the volume of requests received. If demand is high, we will give priority to elderly and vulnerable residents who need the EASE items urgently (e.g. those with mobility issues).

 

Q5: How long will the EASE works take?

A5: Usually, it takes about a day to complete the installation of a full set of EASE improvement works.

 

RAMP SOLUTIONS FOR MULTI-STEP MAIN ENTRANCE

Q6: I have installed grab bars under HIP with EASE. Can I apply for ramps (single-step and multi-step) under EASE (Direct Application)?

A6: You can apply for ramps (single-step and multi-step) under EASE (Direct Application) if you meet the following criterion:

  • Singapore Citizen (SC) flat owner with an elderly member in the household who is wheelchair-bound and aged 65 years old and above; or
  • SC flat owner with at least one member in the household who is wheelchair-bound and aged between 60-64 years old who requires assistance for one or more of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL)*

*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.

 

Q7:Can I choose the type of accessibility solution? How would I know which type of accessibility solution suits my flat configuration?

A7: Depending on the site assessment, HDB’s appointed contractor will identify and advise you on the types and designs of potential ramp solutions (eg. portable or customised ramp) that is suitable for the layout of your flat entrance.  For units where ramp solutions cannot be installed due to site constraints, HDB will assess if the wheelchair lifter currently being separately piloted could be offered.

 

Q8: Do I have to remove the ramp solution when I sell my flat? Will HDB reimburse me the removal cost?

A8: You have to remove the ramp and reinstate the common area to its original condition when you sell your flat. You will have to bear the cost of the removal. 

 

Q9: Will HDB and/ or Town Council help to repair damages to the ramps caused by others?

A9: You are responsible for the proper maintenance and repair of the ramp or wheelchair lifter. If the ramp or wheelchair lifter is damaged, you have to engage the contractor/ supplier to carry out the repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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