What does the HDB EASE programme cover?

What the HDB EASE programme provides

HDB says EASE subsidises items installed in the flat to improve mobility and safety. It sorts them into three groups: fall prevention, items for wheelchair users, and safety and well-being. All items come with a 1-year warranty and are installed only where technically feasible, so it is worth asking during the survey which items your flat can take.

EASE grab bars come in three types: linear, fixed U-profile and foldable U-profile. The first set has 8 or 10 bars, and a second set of 6 is for flats with at least 2 toilets or bathrooms. HDB decides which type you get, so you cannot pick it yourself. If you want a rail somewhere the programme does not cover, that is a separate job you arrange on your own.

Who qualifies

HDB accepts EASE (Direct Application) from two groups: Singapore Citizen households in sold flats, and Registered Tenants in rental flats. In both cases, a family member must be aged 65 and above, or aged 60 to 64 and need help with at least 1 Activity of Daily Living. HDB lists these activities as washing or bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility and transferring.

If the family member is aged 60 to 64, you also need a Functional Assessment Report endorsed by a qualified assessor such as a registered doctor. The report is one of the documents you submit with your application, so it helps to have it ready before you start the online form.

EASE is also offered as part of the HDB Home Improvement Programme (HIP). According to HDB, you may apply under EASE (Direct Application) if your block does not qualify for HIP, or if you want the items earlier. If your block is due for HIP and you are happy to wait, you can receive the items that way instead.

Cost and subsidy

HDB describes EASE as highly subsidised. If you own a sold flat, your share of the cost depends on your flat type, and you pay it to the contractor after installation. Seniors in public rental flats are fully funded. HDB's page gives the current owner's share for each flat type, and it has an e-calculator you can use before you apply.

The EASE subsidy applies to items installed under the programme. If you also plan other work in the flat, such as moving built-in furniture or adding fittings EASE does not list, ask each contractor for a quote, as the price depends on the job.

How to apply

Direct applications are made online. The steps below follow the order the process runs in.

1. Apply online. Submit your application through the EASE e-Service or the MyHDB mobile app.
2. Send your documents. If the family member is aged 60 to 64, include a Functional Assessment Report endorsed by a qualified assessor such as a registered doctor.
3. Get a reply and a date. HDB replies within 14 working days of receiving your application and documents. HDB staff or its contractor then arrange a pre-condition survey or installation date with you.
4. Have the items installed. Items are usually installed within 10 weeks of application. Customised ramps and wheelchair lifters take longer.

During the survey, ask which items are technically feasible in your flat and where each one will go. If a family member uses a wheelchair, ask whether a ramp will work at your entrance steps, since a wheelchair lifter is offered only if ramps are not feasible.

Caring for slip-resistant treatment

HDB says slip-resistant treatment may last about 3 to 5 years with regular cleaning and proper use. EASE does not replace floor tiles; the treatment goes on your existing toilet or bathroom flooring. HDB advises against washing treated tiles with bleach or acidic cleaners, as the treatment wears off faster. If you use household bleach elsewhere in the bathroom, never mix bleach with acid-based cleaners or ammonia.

If mould builds up in the bathroom, the guide on how to remove bathroom mould covers what to do.

Home safety beyond EASE

EASE fits one HFAD in the living room, or 2 in an Executive Maisonette. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) says a smoke detector gives earlier warning than a heat detector and recommends it for the primary protection of homes. For more on alarms, read the guide to home fire alarms in HDB flats.

For items outside EASE, such as extra rails, you can hire one of the handymen in the directory. The price depends on the job, so ask what the quote includes before work begins.

Questions