Comfort Employment

Compare at least two FDW agencies on total cost, not headline placement fees. Budget for Settling-In Programme within seven days for first-time helpers (she cannot start work before SIP), enhanced medical insurance at MOM’s ≥S$60k inpatient floor (Stage 2 age-banded premiums from Jul 2025), personal accident cover, security bond timing for non-Malaysian helpers, and a buffer month for mismatch. Renewals and many transfers can be done yourself on MOM FDW eServices with Singpass — use an agency when you want placement interviews and replacement cover, not for the renewal click alone. Transfers skip SIP but often cost more in salary. Ask who pays SIP fees, who books the six-monthly medical, whether dental is excluded, and whether MI quotes jump after the helper turns 50. Short postpartum pui yuet care is a separate MOM confinement-nanny Work Permit (Malaysian-only) — do not buy an MDW placement solely for a 28-day confinement window without reading that rail. Pair with the FDW and confinement-nanny category guides plus the MDW hiring guide — most EP+DP households miss the S$60 levy concession. Employer parent chats often tip agencies — treat peer quotes as perishable and re-check MOM insurance floors and SIP clocks yourself before you pay a deposit. Family ops: open-house Sundays and asthma-flare weeks are poor times for surprise helper rest-day gaps — rewrite coverage early.