Singapore Provides Credit of 500 Dollars per Child, Preschool Subsidy Expanded

JAKARTA - The Singapore government began distributing Child LifeSG credit on July 14 worth 500 Singapore dollars for every child under the age of 12 years old. Assuming a rate of Rp. 13,900 per Singapore dollar, the value is around Rp. 6.95 million. Families do not need to apply because the credit is automatically entered.

The Straits Times, quoted on Monday, July 13, reported that the digital credit can be used to buy groceries, pay household bills, and buy goods at pharmacies.

Children born between 2014 and 2025 receive credit starting July 14. Meanwhile, children born throughout 2026 will receive it in April 2027.

The program was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the 2026 Budget in February. The credit was given in addition to the same amount of Child LifeSG that had been disbursed to more than 450,000 children in 2025.

Wong said the cost of raising a child was one of the biggest concerns of young couples. The government wants to create conditions that make them more confident when deciding to get married and build a family.

"The decision to get married and have children is very personal. However, for those who want to take that step, the government will provide more support," he said.

Credits are deposited into the guardian's Child Development Account or CDA based on data from the Singapore Ministry of Social Development and Family per June 1. CDA is a special account for children managed by guardians.

Credits can be used through the government service application LifeSG at physical and online stores that accept PayNow or NETS QR codes, two digital payment systems in Singapore.

Recipients will receive a notification via SMS after the credit is entered into the LifeSG digital wallet.

The ministry reminded families to be wary of scams. Official messages only come from the sender named "gov.sg". Guardians will not be asked to reply to SMS or submit personal data.

The phone number in the Singpass profile must also be confirmed to be still active. Singpass is a digital identity to access Singapore government services.

In the preschool sector, the monthly gross household income limit for additional baby and child care subsidies has been raised from 12,000 Singapore dollars to 15,000 Singapore dollars.

The per capita income limit for households with at least five family members also rose from 3,000 Singapore dollars to 3,400 Singapore dollars.

The amount of assistance to certain income groups has increased. Families with a monthly gross household income of 8,000 Singapore dollars or around Rp111.2 million can receive an additional subsidy of up to 260 Singapore dollars per month for full-day childcare. Previously, the maximum assistance was 190 Singapore dollars.

The income limit for kindergarten fee assistance recipients has also been raised. The scheme applies to children of Singapore citizens who attend kindergarten operated by the main operator or the Ministry of Education.

Wong estimated that the expansion of preschool subsidies would help more than 60,000 families.

The conditions for Student Care Subsidy have also been relaxed. The monthly gross household income limit has increased from 4,500 Singapore dollars or around Rp. 62.55 million to 6,500 Singapore dollars. The per capita income limit also increased from 1,125 Singapore dollars to 1,625 Singapore dollars.

Around 13,000 children in student care centers registered with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, along with their families, are expected to benefit.

Recipients of subsidies who have been registered do not need to reapply. The change is automatically effective from January 2027.

The Singapore government is also reviewing the student care sector to find ways that are more in line with the needs of families with primary school-age children.

"We will continue to keep preschool and student care costs affordable to support the early development of children," said Wong.