A diagnosis is not the claim test
CareShield Life is Singapore’s long-term care insurance scheme. CPF Board says it pays monthly cash benefits when an MOH-accredited assessor determines that the insured person is unable to perform at least three of six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). A condition such as stroke or dementia may cause a disability, but the diagnosis by itself does not establish claim eligibility; the functional assessment matters.
The six ADLs are washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, walking or moving around, and transferring between a bed and a chair or wheelchair. The assessment considers whether the person can carry out these tasks independently, according to the scheme’s criteria.
What happens after a successful claim
CPF Board says monthly payouts continue for life for as long as the claimant remains unable to perform three or more ADLs. The money is paid in cash, giving the recipient flexibility to support a preferred care arrangement, whether at home or elsewhere.
Payout amounts depend on the insured person’s birth year and the year a successful claim is made. For example, CPF’s current page says a person born in 1980 who successfully claims in 2026 at age 46 receives S$689 per month for life. That is an example for that cohort and claim year, not a universal payout figure for every member.
For people born in 1980 or later, CPF says coverage is automatic at age 30, or from 1 October 2020 if later. Participation rules differ for people born earlier, and certain residency situations have specific provisions. Check your CPF Healthcare dashboard to confirm your own coverage rather than relying on age alone.
How to begin a claim
CPF directs members to arrange an assessment with an MOH-accredited severe-disability assessor. If assessed as meeting the criteria, the claim is submitted through the Agency for Integrated Care’s e-service portal using Singpass. CPF says the first CareShield Life disability assessment fee is waived; later assessments have fees, with reimbursement rules applying after a successful claim.
Keep identification, medical information and contact details available, and involve a trusted family member or caregiver if the claimant needs help with the process. For a difficult case, contact CPF Board or AIC to confirm what assessment records and forms are required.
What the scheme does not tell you
CareShield Life is designed to provide basic support, not necessarily to meet every household’s full long-term-care costs. The payout is a cash benefit, not a guarantee that a particular care arrangement will be fully funded. Consider other resources—MediSave Care, family support, savings and any suitable supplement—only after checking eligibility, benefits and affordability.
Do not buy a supplement solely because a headline payout looks larger. Compare what disability trigger it uses, the benefit amount, premiums over time, exclusions and whether the extra protection fits your likely care needs and budget.
Sources
- CPF Board: CareShield Life — eligibility, ADL claim test and payout examples; verified 15 Oct 2026.
- CPF Board: CareShield Life payout table — cohort- and claim-year-specific benefits; verified 15 Oct 2026.