A Medical Social Work Associate (MSWA) supports residents and families by addressing psychosocial, practical, and financial needs in a nursing home.
They assist the Medical Social Worker (MSW) with casework, care coordination, and enabling access to financial assistance schemes, subsidies, and community resources to ensure residents receive affordable, appropriate care.

Core purpose:

• Support adjustment to long-term care
• Assist with means-testing, financial counselling, and subsidy applications
• Link residents to community & financial support schemes
• Help families manage care costs and transitions
• Improve psychosocial well-being and family relationships

Key Responsibilities:

A. Psychosocial Support

• Observe and report residents' psychosocial and behavioural needs.
• Support residents in emotional adjustment.
• Assist with routine check-ins and follow-up.

B. Casework Support

• Assist MSWs in assessments and care planning.
• Track follow-up items and maintain documentation.

C. Financial Counselling and Scheme Application

The MSWA plays a major role in the financial ecosystem of the resident's care.

1. Means Testing & Subsidy Eligibility

• Assist families with MOH Means-Testing (MT) application.
• Verify documents needed for means-testing:
  NRICs of household members
  Income documents
  Supporting declarations
• Explain the subsidy tiers for nursing home fees.
• Coordinate with finance/billing on subsidy updates.

2. Financial Counselling (Basic Level)

• Under MSW guidance, the MSWA may:
• Explain nursing home fees (accommodation, nursing, consumables).
• Breakdown out-of-pocket expenses after subsidy.
• Help families understand:
  GIRO setup
  Deposit requirements
  Financial obligations
• Identify families struggling financially and escalate to MSW.

3. Assistance Schemes & Grant Applications

• Support residents/families with application and follow-ups for:
• Medifund / Medifund Silver
• ComCare / SSO referrals
• CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme)
• Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF)
• Assistive Device (AD) / Home Healthcare Item (HHI) subsidies
• Interim Financial Assistance
• Transport subsidies
• VWO charity funds / internal welfare funds
• Community-based financial support
  - CDC vouchers
  - NTUC U-Care
  - Grassroots support
  - Religious/charitable donor groups

4. Income and Household Verification

• Collect financial and demographic information.
• Assist with declaration forms and consent documents.
• Follow up on incomplete or missing financial documents.

5. Collaboration with Finance Department

• Work with billing staff on fee status updates.
• Alert finance of changes in means-testing or subsidy status.
• Support audit requirements related to financial schemes.
• Track deadlines for subsidy renewals or scheme reviews.

D. Discharge & Care Transition

• Assist in discharge/transition planning, ensuring families understand:
  Home care costs
  Day care rates
  Transport fees
  Medical/therapy costs
• Facilitate community referrals with subsidy-supported services.

E. Family Engagement

• Prepare residents and families for care review meetings.
• Provide basic emotional support and practical guidance.

F. Programmes & Psychosocial Activities

• Support group activities, volunteer programmes, and emotional well-being initiatives.

G. Administrative Duties

• Maintain case notes and records.
• Support audits and compliance checks.