- What are hostels for persons with disabilities?
- What are the admission criteria?
- How do I apply for placement in a hostel?
- What documents do I need to submit?
- Where can I go to apply for placement in a hostel?
- What is CEL's role in the application process?
- How does the referral process work?
- What are the fees for staying in a hostel?
- Are there any government subsidies that I can tap on?
- How do I calculate my monthly per capital income?
- What is the difference between the means-testing frameworks adopted by hospitals and by hostels?
- Where else can I go to for financial assistance if I am unable to afford the fees despite receiving a government subsidy?
- Can I apply for 2 or more hostels simultaneously?
- Can I reapply if I have previously withdrawn my application or rejected an offer to a hostel?
- Where can I find information on hostels, such as location, contact details, etc?
- What is the difference between hostels and residential homes?
- Which VWOs have hostels?
1. What are hostels for persons with disabilities?
Hostels provide alternative housing arrangements for persons with disabilities who do not require institutional care, but for reasons unknown are unable to stay with their families. Hostels also provide short-term residential-based training, with the aim of equipping persons with disabilities with work and life skills to enable them to resume independent living back at their own homes or in alternative forms of assisted community living.
2. What are the admission criteria?
The individual should be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 18 to 55. He should be diagnosed with developmental, intellectual, sensory or physical disabilities, or a combination of two or more disabilities. The disabilities should be congenital. However, persons with acquired disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The individual should also preferably be employed. Those who are unemployed will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. How do I apply for placement in a hostel?
The application should preferably be submitted by a professional (e.g. doctor, social worker, case manager, therapist, etc) using the
referral form provided by the Centre for Enabled Living (CEL) and accompanied by the necessary supporting documents.
4. What documents do I need to submit?
Besides the referral form, you also need to submit the medical report, psychological report and social report.
5. Where can I go to apply for a placement in a hostel?
You may approach a hospital, voluntary welfare organisation (VWO), family service centre (FSC), community development council (CDC), or contact CEL directly.
6. What is CEL’s role in the application process?
CEL is the referring agency that receives and processes all applications to hostels, and disseminates the applications to service providers.
7. How does the referral process work?
CEL will assess the referrals received by checking whether the applicant has exhausted all avenues of community-based services before resorting to placement in a hostel; whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for hostels; and whether the application form has been properly completed and is accompanied by the necessary supporting documents.
If the above has been met, CEL will send the referral to the hostel. The hostel will subsequently arrange for an interview with the applicant to determine he is suitable for their service/programme. The hostel might also initiate a trial admission to see if the applicant is able to adapt to the environment at the hostel.
8. What are the fees for staying in a hostel?
Take the norm cost minus any government subsidy, plus fees for other miscellaneous services utilised, such as medication, consultation by the in-house doctor, etc.
9. Are there any government subsidies that I can tap on?
You can tap on a government subsidy which is based on per capita income and a 9-tier subsidy model. You may choose to undergo a financial assessment or be means-tested to determine the level of government subsidy that you are eligible for, if any.
10. How do I calculate my monthly per capita income?
Your monthly per capita income is derived by dividing the total gross income of your immediate family members by the total number of immediate family members and eligible dependents.
11. What is the difference between the means-testing frameworks adopted by hospitals and by hostels?
In hospitals, the subsidy is determined based on personal income. In hostels, the subsidy is determined based on family income.
12. Where else can I go to for financial assistance if I am unable to afford the fees despite receiving a government subsidy?
You may approach the service provider / hostel for assistance.
13. Can I apply for 2 or more hostels simultaneously?
No, you can only apply to one hostel and be on one waiting list at one time.
14. Can I reapply if I have previously withdrawn my application or rejected an offer to a hostel?
You may reapply, but you will have to go through the application process again.
15. Where can I find information on residential homes, such as location, contact details, etc?
16. What is the difference between residential homes and hostels?
Residential homes are institutions that provide long-term residential care to persons with disabilities who are destitute, neglected, or whose caregivers are incapable of caring for them.
Conversely, hostels provide alternative housing arrangements for persons with disabilities who do not require institutional care, but for reasons unknown are unable to stay with their families.
17. Which VWOs have hostels?
- MINDSVille@Napiri
- Moral Hostel
- TOUCH Ubi Hostel