MOM Maid Levy Concession Guide: How to Save $5,760 & Plan Your Household Budget
Updated: 2 Sept 2026
Written byAfina Najib
Senior Content Editor - Singapore
⚡ Quick Answer
| Card | Personal Accident | Hospital & Surgical Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| MSIG MaidPlus - Standard Plan | S$60,000 | S$60,000 |
| GREAT Maid Protect - Silver Plan | S$60,000 | S$60,000 |
| S$70,000 | S$70,000 |
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.
If your household has a Singapore Citizen child under 16, a family member aged 67 or above, or someone with a certified disability living with you, you likely qualify to pay just $60/month in MOM's foreign domestic worker levy — instead of the standard $300 — saving $5,760 over a two-year contract.
Hiring a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) is a practical necessity for many Singaporean families — whether to assist with young children, care for aging parents, or manage home maintenance. However, the recurring monthly expenses can quickly strain a family's cash flow if not budgeted carefully.
1. Who Qualifies for the $60/Month Concession Rate?
To receive the concessionary rate of $60/month, you must live with an eligible Singapore Citizen (or Permanent Resident in select cases) at the same registered NRIC address.
Note: Each household can claim up to two levy concessions if there are two eligible individuals residing in the same home (e.g., a young child and an elderly parent).
|
Category |
Qualifying Criteria |
Age Requirement |
|
Young Children |
Singapore Citizen child living at the same NRIC address |
Below 16 years old |
|
Elderly Family Members |
Singapore Citizen (or PR, subject to MOM terms) living at the same NRIC address. Covers the employer, spouse, parents, parents-in-law, or grandparents |
67 years old or above |
|
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) |
Family member living at the same address who requires assistance with at least 1 Activity of Daily Living (ADL) |
Any age (requires medical assessment — no age restriction) |
2. How to Claim Your Concession: Automatic vs. Manual
The application process depends on the qualifying criteria:
Automatic Qualification (Young Children & Elderly)
If you qualify under the Young Child or Elderly category, you do not need to submit an application. MOM automatically cross-checks NRIC address records upon Work Permit issuance and applies the $60/month rate directly to your billing statement.
Manual Application via AIC (Persons with Disabilities)
If you are applying based on a family member's disability, automatic NRIC tagging is not possible because a medical verification is required.
Claiming Steps
3. Realistic Monthly Helper Budget Checklist
While saving $240/month on the levy provides relief, the levy is only one component of hiring an MDW. Before you factor the concession into your budget, run through this checklist:
Before You Budget
Confirm NRIC records are current
Household address must match for automatic qualification
Check your dependant's exact age
67+ for elderly, under 16 for child schemes
Line up FAR paperwork early if claiming PWD
Assessment and eFASS approval can take time
Separate the levy from total helper cost
The $60/$300 figure is one line item, not your full monthly outlay
Budget insurance as an annual lump sum
Even though it's paid every 2 years, treat it as a monthly sinking-fund line
Here is a realistic monthly financial planning checklist for employing a helper in Singapore. (Note: figures below are market-rate estimates, not MOM-published rates — worth a source check before publishing.)
Monthly Helper Budget
|
Expense Item |
Estimated Monthly Cost |
Budgeting Notes |
|
MDW Basic Salary |
$600 – $850 |
Varies by experience and nationality (minimum salary rules apply for certain home countries) |
|
MOM Levy |
$60 (with concession) |
Standard rate is $300/month. The concession frees up $240/month for other household expenses |
|
Mandatory Insurance & Bond |
$25 – $40 |
Covers personal accident and medical insurance. Paid upfront every 2 years ($600–$900) but should be budgeted monthly |
|
Food & Utilities Allowance |
$200 – $300 |
Covers household utility increases, groceries, and daily food provisions |
|
Medical Cushion & Out-of-Pocket |
$50 – $100 |
Sinking fund for routine GP visits, dental care, or basic OTC medications not covered by basic insurance |
|
Estimated Total Monthly Cost |
$935 – $1,350 |
(Without concession: $1,175 – $1,590) |
Reinvesting Your $5,760 Savings
Saving $5,760 across a two-year helper contract gives your family's budget breathing room. For context, $5,760 in savings can easily fund:
-
Over 6 months of groceries for an average Singaporean family
-
100% of your helper's mandatory insurance policies and agency placement fees
-
An emergency medical reserve fund for your household
Before your helper's Work Permit is issued, double-check that your household NRIC records are updated with MOM, or schedule a doctor's assessment via AIC to ensure you don't miss out on this discount.
About the author
Afina Najib
Spending most of her young writer's phase working as a freelancer, Afina's written for various industries ranging from e-commerce, travel to health and finance. Her expertise lies in her ability to make complex subjects like finance easy to consume for everyday readers.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. While we review and compare financial products to help you find the best options, we do not provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.