The financial and admin load after a diagnosis is heavy. Help exists, and knowing who to see is half the battle.
Most of the help below is not something you apply for alone online. It is unlocked by the right person. A Medical Social Worker (MSW) at your hospital assesses your finances once and unlocks MediFund, subsidised-patient status, and the hospital and charity cancer funds.
Ask your doctor or clinic for an MSW referral early. Bring NRICs (yours and the patient's), payslips or IRAS notice, CPF contribution history, and your property annual value.
National health insurance and your CPF medical savings, applied to subsidised bills including cancer treatments on the Cancer Drug List.
How to start: Applied automatically to your subsidised bill.
Source: MOH MediShield Life
Since Sep 2022, only treatments on the CDL are claimable under MediShield Life and MediSave, each with its own monthly claim limit.
How to start: Use the coverage explainer module to check a drug, and confirm specifics with your hospital.
Source: MOH Cancer Drug List
Means-tested subsidy for high-cost drugs not on the standard list but assessed as clinically necessary, including many cancer drugs.
Who: Citizens up to 75 percent, Permanent Residents up to 20 percent, by per-capita household income.
How to start: Applied automatically based on your means-test status at public healthcare institutions.
Source: MOH MAF
The safety net after subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave, for citizens who still cannot afford the remaining subsidised bill.
Who: Singapore citizens, subsidised patients, assessed on bill size and household finances.
How to start: See a Medical Social Worker for assessment.
Source: MOH and NCCS MediFund
Subsidies for outpatient care at participating GP and dental clinics, by income tier (Blue, Orange, Green cards).
How to start: Apply for a CHAS card via the official CHAS website.
Source: MOH CHAS
Private patients facing financial difficulty can be reassessed for subsidised rates.
How to start: Ask for a Medical Social Worker assessment (bring NRIC, payslips or IRAS notice, CPF history, property annual value).
Source: NCCS
One-time help for newly diagnosed patients (within 6 months) from low- or middle-income families.
Who: Citizen or PR (some exceptions), meeting income criteria.
Covers: About $1,000 for CHAS Blue card holders, or $500 for Orange card holders.
How to start: Your doctor or Medical Social Worker completes the form.
Source: Singapore Cancer Society
Ongoing treatment support for subsidised hospital patients.
Who: Medical and means-test criteria.
Covers: Up to 100 percent of drug or treatment cost, capped about $6,000 per cycle or month, total cap about $50,000 per person.
How to start: Via your Medical Social Worker.
Source: Singapore Cancer Society
Temporary assistance and essential medical supplies (nutritional feeds, diapers, dressings, stoma bags).
Who: Per-capita income under $1,500, limited savings.
How to start: Via your doctor or Medical Social Worker.
Source: Singapore Cancer Society
Assistance for National Cancer Centre Singapore patients in financial need.
How to start: Via a Medical Social Worker at NCCS.
Source: NCCS Cancer Fund
Monthly cash to offset caregiving costs when the patient needs help with 3 or more activities of daily living.
Who: Care recipient is a citizen or PR, living in the community (not a nursing home).
Covers: About $400 per month (rising to up to $600 from April 2026), or $250 for higher-income households.
How to start: Apply via AIC eService with Singpass, or at an AIC Link. Processing takes about 6 to 8 weeks.
Source: AIC Home Caregiving Grant
Up to $400 per year for a caregiver (including a family member or domestic worker) to attend approved caregiver-training courses.
Who: Care recipient is a citizen or PR, and aged 65+ or certified as having a disability.
How to start: Tell the approved course provider at least 2 weeks before the course starts.
Source: AIC Caregivers Training Grant
Subsidies for home-based, centre-based, and long-term care services, useful for rehabilitation and care during and after treatment.
How to start: AIC or a Care Consultant at an AIC Link (1800-650-6060).
Source: MOH and AIC
Working caregivers may qualify for dependant-related tax reliefs, and households employing a domestic worker to care for the patient may qualify for a concessionary levy.
How to start: Confirm current rules with IRAS and MOM.
Source: MOH caregiver support
Income support when you are temporarily unable to work, including due to illness.
Who: Guideline household income up to about $1,900 per month or per-capita up to about $650 (assessed flexibly); citizen or PR.
How to start: Apply via SupportGoWhere or your nearest Social Service Office.
Source: MSF ComCare
Subsidised transport to and from treatment for eligible patients.
How to start: Apply via Singapore Cancer Society.
Source: Singapore Cancer Society
Wheelchairs, walking aids, and hospital beds; wigs; stoma appliances and milk feeds.
How to start: Equipment via an occupational therapist referral; wigs via the NCCS Wig Bank (6225 5655); supplies via Singapore Cancer Society.
Source: NCCS and Singapore Cancer Society