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Insurance for Individuals with Autism in Singapore

Writer: HEALIS AUTISM CENTREHEALIS AUTISM CENTRE
19 hours ago6 min read

Insurance is important in protecting us in times of financial need. It becomes especially important if a child has higher support needs and is likely not able to provide for themselves without their caregivers.
Insurance is important in protecting us in times of financial need. It becomes especially important if a child has higher support needs and is likely not able to provide for themselves without their caregivers.

Disclaimer: We are not sponsored by any of the following companies mentioned. Any information herein is not intended nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Before making any decision regarding your finances, you should consult a qualified Financial Advisor or relevant parties to find out more.

 

Insurance for Individuals with Autism in Singapore

Insurance for people with Autism (ASD) – or special needs in general – is a difficult field to navigate as they are often excluded from policies due to their condition. Insurance is important in protecting us in times of financial need. For instance, when we are faced with illness, disabilities, or even death. It becomes especially important if a child has higher support needs and is likely not able to provide for themselves without their caregivers. Forward planning and getting your child insured – from birth, or before diagnosis – is the best option. Companies typically do not account for new diagnoses, so the child will be able to keep their policies. If a mother buys pregnancy insurance while expecting, the child will also be covered for life without condition. So what are the options if a child has a diagnosis and no insurance? Let’s explore!


Government Schemes

The government offers some schemes that cover all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs):

  1. CareShield Life –

This is a long-term care plan usable for individuals who are above 30 years old. It provides basic financial support for those requiring prolonged personal and medical care due to severe disability. Caregivers can use their own Medisave, or top up the child’s Medisave, to pay the premium for CareShield Life. (Government of Singapore, 2024). 


  1. MediShield Life – 

This is a basic health insurance that provides subsidized rates in public hospitals. It can be used for hospitalization, outpatient treatment, day surgery, or long-term care. As with CareShield Life, premiums are paid through Medisave. Since there is a daily claim limit, Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) can be bought from private companies to supplement MediShield Life. Do note that it might be harder for a child with ASD to have their application approved – subject to the company’s underwriting team. (CPF Board, 2024a).


  1. Child Development Account (CDA) –

This is a special savings account under Singapore’s Baby Bonus Scheme, available for all children registered as Singaporeans before 24 months old. The government provides an initial deposit of $5k and will match $4k-15k put in by caregivers (depending on the number of children they have). CDA can be used to cover the following:

  • Education – childcare, kindergarten, SPED schools.

  • Early intervention programmes.

  • Healthcare – hospital, GP clinics, MediShield Life or Medisave-approved IPs, approved healthcare items or assistive devices.

Account opening can be done with DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB.

(MSF, 2024).


  1. Dependents’ Protection Scheme (DPS) –

This is a life insurance that will be automatically offered to those between age 21-65 upon their first CPF working contribution. Individuals who have not been included can apply via Great Eastern Life as long as they are between 16-65 years of age. A cash payout of up to $70k will be released in the event of death, terminal illness, or permanent disability before 65 years old (SPD SCMP, 2021). Insured members (caregivers) can nominate their child to ensure they benefit from this policy. (CPF Board, 2024b).


In addition, Singaporeans and PRs who require further financial aid can also apply for the Assistive Technology Fund. This scheme subsidizes up to 90% of costs for purchase, upgrades, or repairs of assistive devices – capped at $40k over one’s lifetime. Applications can be done through therapists or social workers at hospitals and social service agencies. Eligibility requirements are:

  • Monthly household income per capita of <$2k (a Means Test Declaration Form has to be filled out).

  • The child must have undergone an assessment to determine the need and type of device(s) required.

(SPD SCMP, 2021; SupportGoWhere, 2024).


Private Organizations

Personal Accident (PA) Insurance:

Being diagnosed with special needs does not affect eligibility for PA plans, so caregivers are free to look for whichever policy suits their child best. Do take into consideration that these policies typically do not cover psychiatric assessment.

  1. NTUC Income SpecialCare – provides lower payouts than normal PA plans for medical expenses due to accidents and infectious diseases. However, it comes with additional coverage such as physiotherapy or psychiatric services, and personal liability benefit (up to $5k/year if the insured child causes accidental injury or property damage to others). To qualify, you must be (1) a citizen or PR; and (2) a legal guardian of a child diagnosed with Down Syndrome or ASD. (Income Insurance, n.d.).


Life and Health (Critical Illness/Hospitalization) Insurance:

Those with special needs usually face rejection or are only offered more limited coverage for these policies. Caregivers can submit an underwriting application beforehand to find out what the company is willing to cover, and the potential exclusions. Aside from the government schemes, here are some options to look into:

  1. Caregivers can check whether they are able to opt-in for a children’s rider in their own existing policies or company insurance (Guardian Life Insurance, 2024).

  2. NTUC Income Family Micro-Insurance Scheme (IFMIS) –

This scheme is premium-free and provides a $5k payout and an additional $5k to match the collective bank balances of the family, should the insured caregiver face death or permanent disability. To be eligible, you have to:

  • Be between 16-65 years old.

  • Your child has to be enrolled in a government preschool or educational institution (e.g., local primary and secondary school).

  • Your child has to already be under a financial assistance scheme such as MOE FAS or KiFAS.

(Income Insurance, 2016).


Setting up a Trust

While setting up a trust fund is a complicated and tedious process, it is a good way to pass down wealth because:

  • Assets other than cash can be passed down through a fund.

  • While minors – under 21 years – are not allowed to own property, caregivers can indirectly place them under their child’s name through the trust. In doing so, it also allows the child to qualify for government benefits that they might not get if they had substantial assets under their name.

  • Caregivers are able to set very specific conditions as to when money and assets are dispensed, as well as assign someone they trust to help manage the trust. The latter may be particularly important if the beneficiary (child) is not able to manage their own finances.

(Guardian Life Insurance, 2024).


In Singapore, the Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC) is the only non-profit organisation with trust services for persons with disabilities (Enabling Guide, 2024).

  1. SNTC Trusteeship Scheme –

This is a trust that allows caregivers to pass down their insurance policies, CPF, cash, and other assets. There is a minimum deposit of $5k, which will continue to earn an average of 2-2.5% of interest/annum. After their passing, case managers will continue to meet up with the child to ensure their needs and proper administration of the trust. Families struggling to meet the $5k deposit for account set-up can look into Great Eastern’s Gift of a Lifetime (GOAL) Sponsorship for financial aid. (CPF Board, 2023; Special Needs Planning SG, 2021).


  1. SNTC Special Needs Saving Scheme –

This scheme allows caregivers to pass down their CPF monies in fixed monthly sums of minimally $250. Should their CPF account not be sufficient to sustain a year of payouts, all their savings will be given to their nominee at once in a lump sum. (CPF Board, 2023; Special Needs Planning SG, 2021).


Written by: Jia Hui


References:

Pinterest. (n.d.). Autism insurance resources in Singapore. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/854346991831143580/


Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board). (2023, March 3). How CPF can help your child with special needs. https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/infohub/educational-resources/how-cpf-can-help-your-child-with-special-needs 


Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board). (2024a, April 12). Protect yourself from large medical bills with Medishield life. https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/healthcare-financing/medishield-life


Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board). (2024b, May 13). Protect your loved ones with the dependents’ protection scheme. https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/account-services/providing-for-your-loved-ones/insuring-to-protect-your-dependants


Enabling Guide. (2024). Money matters - financial planning & others. https://www.enablingguide.sg/im-looking-for-disability-support/money-matters/financial-planning-others


Government of Singapore. (2024, January 4). Born in 1980 or later. Ministry of Health. https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/careshield-life/premiums-and-premium-support/future-cohort--1980-or-later.html


Great Eastern. (2021, November 18). Parents of special needs children now able to futureproof their long-term financial needs through SNTC collaboration with great eastern. https://www.greateasternlife.com/sg/en/about-us/media-centre/media-releases/sntc-collaboration.html


Guardian Life Insurance. (2024). Life insurance for special needs children: A guide. https://www.guardianlife.com/life-insurance/special-needs-children


Income Insurance. (2016, December 12). Income family micro-insurance and savings scheme (IFMISS) FAQ. NTUC Income. https://www.shps.moe.edu.sg/files/FAQ_for_IFMISS.pdf



Ministry of Health (MOH). (2024, June 7). Comparison of integrated shield plans. https://www.moh.gov.sg/healthcare-schemes-subsidies/medishield-life/comparison-of-integrated-shield-plans


Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (2024, June 3). Child development co-savings (baby bonus) scheme. https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/Pages/aboutus.aspx


Shanmugaratnam, T. (2021, July 5). Reply to Parliamentary Question on Insurance Coverage for Persons with Autism and Mental Health Issues. Monetary Authority of Singapore. https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/2021/reply-to-parliamentary-question-on-insurance-coverage-for-persons-with-autism-and-mental-health-issues


SPD Specialised Case Management Programme (SCMP). (2021, March 5). All you need to know about disability money matters. https://www.enablingguide.sg/docs/default-source/publications/spd-disability-money-matters-booklet.pdf?sfvrsn=1ff4b29a_2


Special Needs Planning SG. (2021, August 19). Financial Planning for special needs - Special Needs Planning (Singapore). https://specialneedsplanning.sg/ 


SupportGoWhere. (2024, June 3). Assistive technology fund. https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/schemes/ATF/assistive-technology-fund

 
 
 

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