Singapore's Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on 13/8 that this payment is part of a nearly SGD 1 billion (USD 782 million) budget package. This initiative aims to support those most heavily impacted by rising costs and provide assistance to households and businesses.

To qualify for the grant, recipients must be Singaporean citizens residing in the country, be 21 years or older in 2026, have a taxable income in 2025 not exceeding SGD 100,000, and own no more than one property. Citizens do not need to apply to receive this aid.

A staff member counts Singapore dollar notes at a money exchange counter in the Raffles Place financial district in Singapore on 6/10/2022. Photo: AFP

The specific support amount depends on the annual value of the recipient's home, as recorded on their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) as of 31/12/2025. The Singapore government will provide SGD 400 to individuals with a taxable income up to SGD 100,000 who live in a home with an annual value (estimated annual rental value) above SGD 31,000. For those with a taxable income up to SGD 22,000 and living in a home with an annual value of up to SGD 15,000, the support will be SGD 600.

Grant payments will be disbursed directly via bank channels from 9/9 to 24/9. Eligible citizens will receive notifications via SMS from the "gov.sg" sender ID or by mail if they have not registered their phone number with Singpass.

"The SMS message serves only as a notification of eligibility. Citizens are not required to respond, click on any links, or provide personal information. Government officials will never ask citizens to transfer money or disclose bank account details over the phone", the MOF emphasized.

This SGD 1 billion package supplements Singapore's record SGD 155 billion budget for 2026. Previously, the nation had implemented various support measures for its citizens.

In April, Singapore provided a cash grant of SGD 200 to freelance workers, ride-hailing drivers, and taxi drivers to offset increased fuel costs resulting from conflicts in the Middle East.

Two months later, the government accelerated the disbursement of SGD 500 in electronic Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers to 1.38 million households by six months. This was followed by an additional SGD 900 million support package in July.

"The government will provide an additional SGD 300 in CDC vouchers for each household, along with supplementary utility rebates in 10/2026 and 1/2027 to mitigate the impact of rising energy prices", affirmed Jeffrey Siow, Second Minister for Finance, in a statement on 29/7.