20,000 affected by HOMES means-testing error; MOH correcting inaccurate subsidies
The glitch, which occurred in January 2025, resulted in inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business incomes and their household members.
Most affected received higher-than-intended subsidies and grants, while a smaller group received less than they were entitled to.
HOMES, which is managed by MOH, uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to determine subsidy eligibility.
However, changes in data processing timelines in January 2025 caused the system to miscalculate business incomes.
As a result, means-testing was inaccurate for individuals and households assessed between 1 January and 27 January.
MOH schemes see bulk of impact; reassessments and adjustments underway
According to MOH, about 19,000 people under its schemes were affected.
Another 1,000 people under schemes administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) were also impacted.
MOH stated that HOMES provides means-testing results for various government subsidy schemes.
Despite the number affected, MOH said they account for less than 3 per cent of all individuals means-tested in that period.
Corrections have now begun, with reassessment of affected cases completed.
MOH confirmed that from 21 July 2025, subsidy and grant tiers will be adjusted to reflect intended levels.
Individuals who received higher subsidies will not have to repay any excess.
Those who received less than intended will be reimbursed, with payments expected to be completed by November 2025.
The affected MOH schemes include CareShield Life and MediShield Life premium subsidies and Additional Premium Support (APS).
Individuals will receive the correct subsidies at their next policy renewal, while APS recipients will maintain premium coverage based on approved validity.
Letters will be sent to all impacted individuals, who are not required to take any action.
Under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), affected cardholders will receive letters detailing necessary steps.
For subsidies related to long-term care services, adjustments will be reflected in the next billing cycle or payout date.
Schemes like the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund, Equipment Rental Scheme, Home Caregiving Grant and ElderFund are also impacted.
Notices of adjusted subsidies or payouts will be sent to those affected.
Subsidies for day surgeries, inpatient services, specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinic drugs and vaccines, and community hospital services will also be corrected.
Public healthcare institutions will inform impacted individuals and adjust bills from July 2025 onwards.
Where applicable, reimbursements will be issued automatically.
Non-MOH schemes also affected; corrections to start from 22 July
Non-MOH schemes have also been affected by the HOMES processing issue.
For ECDA schemes, affected parents, preschools, and early intervention centres will be informed of adjusted subsidies from 22 July.
Corrected subsidies will take effect from August 2025.
Under the DigitalAccess@Home Scheme managed by IMDA, households affected will be notified from 22 July.
Households that were under-subsidised will receive reimbursements automatically.
Those who received higher subsidies will retain them for the remainder of their current DAH award validity.
Their eligibility will be reassessed upon new applications.
MOE will ensure affected students receiving higher education bursaries are informed through their Institutes of Higher Learning.
No action is required from students.
For children in MOE Kindergarten Care (KCare), corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025.
Under MSF's Enabling Transport Subsidy, Taxi Subsidy Scheme, and Assistive Technology Fund, SG Enable will work with service providers to inform affected individuals from 22 July.
Corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025.
MOH emphasised that all affected individuals will be contacted progressively and no action is needed on their part.
The ministry said the incident arose from a one-time misalignment in data processing timelines and added that measures will be taken to prevent similar issues in future.
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