Easy Way How to Apply for Maid Levy Concession

Hiring a domestic helper can greatly ease the burden of caregiving at home, especially for families caring for elderly parents, young children, or family members with disabilities.

To help reduce the financial cost for households that genuinely need additional support, the Singapore government provides a maid levy concession scheme.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, how much you need to pay, or how to apply for maid levy concession, this guide will walk you through everything in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

What Is Maid Levy Concession?

A maid levy concession is a reduced monthly levy rate given to eligible households that hire a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

Normally, employers are required to pay the standard maid levy set by MOM. However, qualifying households can enjoy a significantly lower levy amount under the concession scheme.

The purpose of this support is to help families who need domestic assistance for caregiving responsibilities, especially those caring for:

• Elderly family members
• Young children
• Persons with disabilities

This makes hiring and maintaining a helper more affordable for households with greater care needs.

What Is the Maid Levy Concession Rate?

One of the most common concerns employers have before hiring a domestic helper is the monthly cost involved. Besides salary, insurance, food, and accommodation, employers in Singapore are also required to pay a monthly levy to MOM.

This is where the maid levy concession can make a huge difference for eligible households.

1. Standard Levy Rate

For households that do not qualify for concession, the standard maid levy is $300 per month for each domestic helper

This amount is paid every month throughout your helper’s employment period. While it may seem manageable initially, the cost can add up significantly over time when combined with other household expenses.

For example, employers also need to budget for:

• Monthly salary
• Food and daily necessities
• Medical insurance
• Medical check-ups
• Accommodation and utilities

Because of this, many families carefully review whether they are eligible for concession support before hiring a helper.

2. Concessionary Levy Rate

Eligible households can enjoy a much lower maid levy concession rate of $60 per month.

This means employers can save around $240 every month or nearly $2,880 every year

For families caring for elderly parents, young children, or loved ones with disabilities, these savings can provide meaningful financial relief.

For example, many families hire helpers not because it is a luxury, but because they genuinely need support managing daily caregiving responsibilities.

Some elderly family members may require supervision throughout the day, while working parents may struggle to balance childcare and work commitments without additional help at home.

In these situations, the concession helps reduce the financial burden and makes long-term caregiving more sustainable.

Why the Concession Matters for Families

The maid levy concession is especially helpful for households that already have ongoing caregiving expenses. Families caring for elderly parents may also need to manage:

• Medical appointments
• Medication costs
• Mobility support
• Daily caregiving needs

Similarly, parents with young children often juggle work, school schedules, and childcare responsibilities at the same time.

Reducing the levy from $300 to $60 may seem simple on paper, but over months and years, it can make household budgeting much more manageable and less stressful.

Also Read: How to Pay Maid Levy in Singapore Made Simple

How to Apply for Maid Levy Concession

Many first-time employers are unsure about how to apply for maid levy concession, especially when dealing with MOM requirements for the first time.

Fortunately, the process is usually straightforward if you prepare the necessary information properly from the beginning.

In many cases, the application can even be processed together with your maid’s work permit application, which makes things more convenient for employers.

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how the process works in Singapore.

Step 1: Check Whether Your Household Qualifies

Before submitting any application, the first thing you should do is confirm whether your household meets MOM’s eligibility requirements for the concession.

Generally, you may qualify if there is a Singapore citizen in your household who is:

• Below 16 years old
• Aged 67 years old and above
• A person with disabilities requiring assistance with daily activities

At this stage, it’s important to ensure the qualifying person is officially registered as living in the same household.

You should also prepare important information such as:

• NRIC details of the qualifying family member
• Household information
• Supporting medical documents (for disability-related applications, if required)

Taking time to check eligibility carefully can help prevent delays or rejection later in the process.

Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents

Depending on your situation, MOM may require supporting documents to verify your eligibility.

For example:

• Elderly-related applications may require household or identity details
• Disability-related applications may require medical documents or certification from a doctor

It’s important to ensure all documents are accurate, updated, and clearly submitted. Missing or incorrect information may slow down the approval process.

If you are applying through a maid agency, the agency will usually guide you on which documents are needed and help ensure everything is submitted correctly.

Step 3: Submit the Maid Levy Concession Application

The next step is submitting the application.

In many situations, the maid levy concession is automatically assessed during your maid’s work permit application if all required household information is properly declared.

However, certain cases may still require:

• Additional declarations
• Manual submissions
• Supporting medical assessments

Applications are commonly handled through:

• MOM online services
• A maid agency assisting on your behalf

For first-time employers, many choose to work with an agency because the process can involve multiple MOM procedures at the same time, including:

• Work permit application
• Insurance setup
• GIRO arrangement
• Levy concession matters

Having guidance can help reduce confusion and administrative mistakes.

Step 4: Wait for MOM’s Assessment and Approval

After submission, MOM will review your household information and assess whether you qualify for the concessionary levy rate.

The approval timeline may vary depending on:

• Completeness of documents
• Type of application
• Whether additional verification is needed

If approved, the reduced maid levy concession rate will automatically apply to your helper’s monthly levy payments.

This means:

• Future levy deductions will follow the lower concessionary rate
• You do not need to manually calculate the reduced amount every month

The deduction is usually handled automatically through GIRO.

Step 5: Monitor Your Levy Status Regularly

Even after approval, it’s important to regularly monitor your levy status and household eligibility.

This is because your concession eligibility may change later due to situations such as:

• A child turning 16 years old
• An elderly family member moving out
• Changes in caregiving arrangements

If eligibility changes, MOM may revert your levy back to the standard rate. Employers should stay updated to avoid unexpected charges or confusion later on.

Consult Your Maid Agency Today

Need help understanding maid levy concession eligibility or applying for the reduced levy rate?

Consult with Your Maid Agency today. Our experienced team can guide you step by step, from checking eligibility to handling MOM applications and helping you find the right helper for your household.

Visit our office today at 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #03-63K Bukit Timah, Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179 and let us help make the process easier for you.