Haze Subsidy Scheme Singapore: Eligibility, Costs and Care

The Haze Subsidy Scheme (HSS) helps eligible Singapore Citizens pay no more than $10 for treatment of haze-related conditions at participating clinics in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) activated it on 12 October 2026 as haze worsened, and has not announced an end date. Learn who qualifies, what you pay and how to use the scheme, how haze affects your health, and when to seek urgent care.

What is the Haze Subsidy Scheme in Singapore?

The Haze Subsidy Scheme, also known as haze subsidies, is an MOH scheme that lowers the cost of treating haze-related conditions when air quality worsens.

It works through the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) scheme, which lets participating GP clinics offer subsidised care during health alerts, alongside all polyclinics (Ministry of Health, Singapore, 2026a).

Participating clinics display a PHPC decal or a Haze Subsidy Scheme poster, and MOH lists them on its haze page.

Who is eligible for the Haze Subsidy Scheme in 2026?

At PHPCs, the scheme covers Singapore Citizens who are:

• aged 18 and below
• aged 65 and above
• on Public Assistance (PA), Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) schemes
• Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue or Orange cardholders
• Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) holders

At polyclinics, all Singapore Citizens are eligible.

No card? You may still qualify if you are eligible for CHAS Blue or Orange, which is based on household per capita income of $2,300 or below. Apply at chas.sg. MOH says processing generally takes up to 15 working days.

How much do you pay under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

There is no GST on these fees. The same caps apply if you have a haze-related condition and a respiratory infection in the same visit.

Which conditions does the Haze Subsidy Scheme cover?

The scheme covers allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), upper respiratory tract infection, and their complications. Your doctor decides whether your condition is haze-related and can be claimed under the scheme.

Medicines for the haze-related condition are covered in reasonable quantities for that episode, not as a long-term supply. The scheme does not cover masks, or medicines and treatments for unrelated conditions (Ministry of Health, Singapore, 2026b).

For how haze affects each condition, see our ENT guide to haze-related flare-ups.

How do you use the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

• Find a participating clinic. Look for the PHPC decal or poster, check the MOH haze page, or use the Parkway Shenton clinic finder.
• Bring ID. Take your NRIC, or a birth certificate or student ID for children, plus your scheme card (physical or digital) if you have one.
• See the doctor. A teleconsultation may be subsidised where clinically appropriate. If it leads to an in-person visit, the subsidy applies to that visit instead.
• Pay the subsidised fee. Only one subsidised visit is allowed per day, and each visit is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When will the Haze Subsidy Scheme end?

MOH has not announced an end date, and will announce when the scheme closes. Check the MOH haze page for updates, or ask the clinic when you book.

Why does Singapore get haze?

Haze in Singapore is mostly smoke from forest and land fires in the region, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia. Fires burning in dry peat can smoulder for weeks, and winds from the south, south-east or south-west carry the smoke here. The main haze season is August to October. Dry weather, wind direction and low rainfall make it worse (National Environment Agency, n.d.).

No agency can give a fixed end date, so follow the daily forecast at haze.gov.sg. For more on the causes and why some years are worse, see our guide to haze and your health.

The main pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. These particles are extremely small and can travel deep into the lungs. In some cases, they may even enter the bloodstream.

Singapore measures air quality using the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which reflects the average concentration of pollutants over 24 hours. It tells you how severe haze conditions are, so you can take practical steps to protect yourself and your family.

What are the health effects of haze in Singapore?

How haze impacts your health depends on several factors, including your overall health status, the PSI level, how long you are exposed, and the intensity of your outdoor physical activity.

For healthy individuals, short-term exposure to haze may cause:

• Dry or sore throat
• Coughing and sneezing
• Runny nose
• Eye irritation or tearing
• Skin irritation or eczema flare-ups

These symptoms are usually mild and resolve once exposure is reduced. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, medical assessment may be necessary. Signs include irritation to the eye, nose and throat such as dry or sore throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and tearing of eyes. People with sensitive skin may experience skin irritations and eczema flare ups.

Fortunately, most people develop mild symptoms which resolve on their own. Some patients with more severe or prolonged symptoms may need to see a doctor for treatment.

Haze can also aggravate pre-existing chronic conditions, particularly heart or lung diseases. For example, elevated PSI levels may trigger asthma attacks and acute bronchitis in patients with lung conditions. These flare-ups can be serious. Individuals with chronic medical conditions should monitor their symptoms closely and seek early medical attention if needed.

Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution may also potentially lead to the development of chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, increased cancer risk, and even premature death.

Fortunately, haze episodes in Singapore are typically short-term rather than year-round. Nevertheless, minimising exposure during periods of elevated PSI remains important.

Who is more at risk during haze?

Certain groups are more vulnerable to the effects of haze, especially:

• Elderly individuals
• Infants and young children
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic lung or heart conditions

Children and older adults are generally more sensitive to air pollutants and should limit outdoor exposure when PSI levels rise. Pregnant women are also advised to reduce exposure to lower potential risks to their baby.

How to protect yourself during haze

During haze periods, take the following measures to reduce exposure:

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Keep doors and windows closed to reduce the amount of haze particles entering your home or workplace. Use fans or air-conditioners to cool and circulate the air. Consider using portable air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.
• Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated and get ample rest.
• Increase intake of vitamins by eating lots of vegetables and fruits such as carrots and broccoli. These help to boost your immune system and reduce the irritant effects of the haze particles.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes and use saline wash if you experience any eye irritation.
• If you have existing heart and lung conditions, ensure you have sufficient medication readily available. For example, asthma patients should keep their inhalers on hand.
• Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activity when PSI levels are high.

Refer to the MOH health advisory below for recommended activity levels based on PSI forecasts.

PSI activity guidelines

Source: haze.gov.sg

FAQs

Q: How much does treatment cost under the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

A: Eligible Singapore Citizens pay no more than $10, or the total bill if it is lower, at participating PHPCs and polyclinics. Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors pay $5 or less, and Public Assistance cardholders pay nothing. There is no GST on these fees.

Q: Can I use the Haze Subsidy Scheme at Parkway Shenton clinics?

A: Yes. Eligible Singapore Citizens can receive subsidised treatment for haze-related conditions at participating Parkway Shenton clinics. Our doctors can assess your symptoms and advise on treatment. Find a Parkway Shenton clinic near you.

Q: Am I eligible for haze subsidies if I am a Permanent Resident or foreigner?

A: MOH’s scheme materials list Singapore Citizens only, and do not mention Permanent Residents or foreigners. If you are not a Singapore Citizen, ask the clinic about its regular consultation fees.

Q: I do not have a CHAS card. Can I still get the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

A: Possibly. If you are a Singapore Citizen who qualifies for CHAS Blue or Orange, you may be eligible. Apply at chas.sg, and note that MOH says processing generally takes up to 15 working days. If you are aged 18 and below or 65 and above, you may already qualify at PHPCs without a card.

Q: Is a cough or cold covered by the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

A: Upper respiratory tract infections, which include the common cold, are among the covered conditions. Your doctor decides whether your illness is haze-related and can be claimed under the scheme.

Q: Does the Haze Subsidy Scheme cover medicines, masks and tests?

A: Medicines for the haze-related condition are covered in reasonable quantities for that episode. Masks are not covered. MOH has not said whether tests are included, so ask the clinic.

Q: Can I use the Haze Subsidy Scheme for a teleconsultation?

A: Teleconsultations may be subsidised for haze-related conditions where clinically appropriate. If the doctor asks you to come in, the subsidy applies to the in-person visit instead.

Q: Can I use the Haze Subsidy Scheme more than once a day?

A: No. Only one subsidised visit is allowed per day, and each visit is assessed case by case.

Q: What should I bring when I use the Haze Subsidy Scheme?

A: Bring your NRIC, or a birth certificate or student ID for children, and your government scheme card (physical or digital) if you have one. No consent form is needed.

Q: Do company medical benefits affect my eligibility for haze subsidies?

A: No. Your eligibility is not affected by whether your company medical benefits cover part of the bill.

Q: When does the Haze Subsidy Scheme end?

A: MOH has not announced an end date. It will announce when the scheme closes, so check the MOH haze page or ask the clinic when you book.