Under this scheme, parents take care of expenses incurred in having children. The Singapore government has set aside funds for cash gifts, co-matching savings, and special grants to parents and guardians to help ease the financial burden of child-raising. Here, you will find everything about the scheme, from eligibility, benefits, to applying.
What is the Baby Bonus Scheme?
The Baby Bonus Scheme is for eligible Singaporean children below the age of 12 years. It is a cash gift and contribution to a baby bonus account. The scheme has two main components:
1. Baby Bonus Cash Gift
Depending on the order of birth of the child, parents can receive between $11,000 and $13,000.
This is regularly paid to parents to support the amounts required for early childhood expenses.
2. Child Development Account (CDA) and Child Savings Account (CSA)
- CDA: This is a special savings account that derives its funding from the government. Every dollar saved is matched against the dollars contributed by the government, up to a capped amount.
- CSA: An ordinary savings account, which contains government cash grants such asthe Baby Bonus cash gift and other educational awards.
With this, both accounts are of aid to parents for managing necessary expenses in childcare and education.
Baby Bonus Scheme Benefits
The government understands the difficulties faced by families raising multiple children. Under the Large Families Scheme, families with three or more children are eligible for additional financial assistance:
1. An enhanced First Step Grant (FSG)
An additional $5,000 will be given for each third and subsequent Singapore Citizen child, increasing the CDA First Step Grant to $10,000. The amount is credited directly into the Child Development Account (CDA).
2. Dollar-for-dollar government co-matching
The government will match contributions made by parents into their CDA dollar-for-dollar, subject to a cap.
3. Additional Baby Bonus Cash Gift for Larger Families
Families with third or subsequent children receive the highest Baby Bonus cash gift to further provide financial support.
| Baby Bonus Scheme Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Order | Baby Bonus Cash Gift | CDA | |
| First Step Grant (No initial deposit from parents required) | Maximum Government Co-Matching | ||
| 1st Child | $11,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| 2nd Child | $11,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| 3rd Child | $13,000 | $10,000* | $9,000 |
| 4th Child | $13,000 | $10,000* | $9,000 |
| 5th and Subsequent Child | $13,000 | $10,000* | $15,000 |
*From 18 Feb 2025, third and subsequent children will receive an increased First Step Grant from $5,000 to $10,000 under the Large Families Scheme. For more information, please visit the Large Families Scheme website (go.gov.sg/LFS).
Baby Bonus Cash Gift
Enhancements have been made to the Baby Bonus Cash Gift for eligible newborns from 14 February 2023. Parents can receive this Cash Gift every 6 months until their child attains the age of 6 and a half years. A child will be eligible for the Cash Gift if:
- He or she is a Singapore Citizen; and
- His or her parents are lawfully married.
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift is enhanced for qualifying children born on or after 14 February 2023. Parents get the Cash Gift every six months until the child turns 6 and a half years old. A child qualifies for the Cash Grant if:
(a) born a Singapore Citizen; and
(b) His or her parents are legally married.
Baby Bonus Cash Gift
The amount received under the Baby Bonus Cash Gift for children born on or after February 14, 2023, has been adjusted. It is provided to the parents every 6 months until the child attains the age of 6 and a half. A child becomes eligible for the Cash Gift if:
- (a) he/she is a citizen of Singapore; and
- (b) his/her parents are legally married.
| Time | Amount of Cash Gift to be Disbursed | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st and 2nd Birth Orders | 3rd and Subsequent Birth Orders | |
| At birth | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| 6 months | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| 12 months | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| 18 months | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| From 2 years until 6.5 years | $400 every 6 months | $400 every 6 months |
| Total | $11,000 | $13,000 |
How to Apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme
Baby Bonus Application is now more manageable through the LifeSG web portal and app. Here are the few steps:
- Register your child’s birth (42 days from birth) and apply for Baby Bonus through the Birth Registration Portal
- Direct Baby Bonus application can be done at the Baby Bonus Scheme Portal
Open Child Savings Account
- When your child comes under the Child Bonus Scheme, a CSA will be opened automatically.
- Any cash payouts and contributions from the Government will go into this account.
- Online Management of CDA and CSA
- Parents can perform bank switching, update trustees, or set up PayNow for CSA through their banks’ online portals.
Visit your respective bank for details:
Where Can You Use the Baby Bonus?
- Funds under the Baby Bonus Scheme may be used for all important things:
- Medical bills and vaccinations at approved institutions.
- Fees for preschool and child care.
- Education-related costs.
- Health care expenses for the child and siblings.
Why Is It Important to Apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme?
The costs of bringing up children are ever-increasing, and hence the Baby Bonus Scheme provides good financial support for families. Some of the main advantages are:
- Up to $13,000 in cash gifts.
- Up to $10,000 in grants from the Child Development Account.
- Co-matching savings in dollar-for-dollar.
- Freely spent on education and medical expenses.
- Fast and easy application procedure on LifeSG.
The Bottom Line
Raising a child can be challenging; however, the Baby Bonus Scheme stands to help lessen financial constraints and promote family growth in Singapore. If you are a parent or expecting a child anytime soon, please register your child and apply for the benefits in due time to fully benefit from the scheme.