Admittedly, not all of us tune in to the National Day Rally (NDR) every year. But mention cash grants and government benefits, and suddenly, we’re all ears. That was the case this year when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the new $62,000 SG Child Support Package during his 2026 NDR speech.
Set to replace the existing Baby Bonus Scheme and Large Families Scheme from April 2027, the package aims to provide Singaporean families with more sustained financial support for raising a child. Combined with existing schemes, the total benefits for each newborn could amount to almost $70,000, regardless of birth order.
But before you get excited about having more babies, do note that the $62,000 will not arrive in one lump sum. Fret not, as we’ve broken down the various payouts, eligibility criteria, and expected payment dates to help you understand what your family could receive.
Image credit: NTUC
To make things easier to understand, we’ve broken the new package down into its 5 key components.
| Benefit | Amount | Purpose |
| Baby Gift | $10,000 | $10,000 in cash for every eligible newborn |
| Child Credits | $32,000 | Yearly cash payout of $2,000 for children aged 1 to 16 |
| CDA First Step Grant | $5,000 | One-off grant for early childhood expenses |
| CDA government co-matching | Up to $5,000 | Government matches eligible parental savings dollar for dollar |
| PSEA top-up | $10,000 | One-off top-up for approved post-secondary education expenses |
A direct replacement for the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, the Baby Gift gives parents earlier access to cash support. Under the old scheme, parents received $11,000 for their 1st and 2nd child, and $13,000 for their 3rd and subsequent children, paid in instalments over 6.5 years.
But from 1st April 2027, every eligible Singaporean child born on or after this date will receive $10,000, regardless of birth order. The amount will be paid in 2 instalments within the child’s first 12 months after birth, with no cap on the number of children eligible for the financial support.
For eligible Singapore Citizen children born before 1st April 2027 who are still receiving Baby Bonus Cash Gift payouts, payments will continue until 31st March 2027. As the Baby Gift replaces the existing cash gift, these children will receive a top-up by 30th April 2027 to bring their total Baby Bonus Cash Gift support to $10,000, where applicable
Image credit: Children’s Cove
Think of the Child Credits as an annual cash boost for your child. Singaporean children will soon receive $2,000 every year from the calendar year they turn 1 until they turn 16, which adds up to $32,000 over 16 years.
If your child is already older when the scheme kicks in, they will only receive payments for the remaining eligible years, with no backdated payouts for previous years.
With the first payments starting in April 2027, here’s when your child can expect to receive their annual payout.
| Child’s age | Payment timing |
| Turning 1 to 16 in 2026 | The 2026 Child Credits will be credited by 30th April 2027. |
| Children turning 1 to 16 in 2027, with a birthday between January and April | The 2027 Child Credits will be credited by 30th April 2027. |
| Children turning 1 to 16 in 2027, with a birthday between May and December | The 2027 Child Credits will be credited on their birthday. |
| Turning 1 to 16 in 2028 or later | Annual credits will be paid on the child’s birthday. |
In short, some families will receive both their 2026 and 2027 Child Credits by 30th April 2027. From then on, subsequent annual payouts will be credited on the child’s birthday.
Image credit: Digital for Life
Singaporean children born on or after 1st April 2027 will receive a one-off $5,000 CDA First Step Grant, which will be deposited automatically once their Child Development Account (CDA) is opened.
A CDA helps parents cover approved expenses such as preschool fees and medical costs at participating institutions, but its funds cannot be withdrawn freely as cash.
For children born on or after 1st April 2027, parents can enrol their child in the SG Child Support Package through LifeSG when registering their birth. They must then open a CDA with a participating bank to receive the grant.
Children born between 1st January 2015 and 31st March 2027 will remain under the existing Baby Bonus Scheme and Large Families Scheme rules for their CDA First Step Grant. This means they will not necessarily receive an additional $5,000 under the new package.
Saving for your child’s future now comes with an extra perk. For Singaporean Citizen children born on or after 1st April 2027, the Government will match their parents’ CDA deposits dollar for dollar, capped at $5,000.
This means parents must deposit $5,000 of their own money to receive the full $5,000 in matching contributions. The co-matching is separate from the $5,000 CDA First Step Grant mentioned earlier, which is deposited into the account when it is opened.
For eligible children born between 1st January 2015 and 31st March 2027, the Government will continue matching parents’ CDA savings under the current limits until 30th September 2027. Subsequently, from 1st October 2027, the Government’s co-matching cap will be standardised at $5,000 for every eligible child, regardless of birth order.
Their CDAs will remain open until the end of the year they turn 16, up from 12 previously. This gives parents an additional 4 years to save and receive Government co-matching, provided they have not reached the cap. Once the CDA closes, any remaining savings will be automatically transferred to the child’s Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA), subject to the account’s savings limit.
Image credit: Temasek Polytechnic
To help cover future higher education costs, all Singapore Citizen children turning 17 from 2026 onwards will receive a one-off $10,000 top-up to their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA).
The funds are used to cover approved education and training expenses, including tertiary education fees and approved charges, or to repay specific government education loans.
Children turning 17 in 2026 or 2027 will receive the $10,000 top-up in June 2027. Those turning 17 from 2028 onwards will receive it in June of the year they turn 17.
Although the package offers up to $62,000 in support per child, not every child will receive the full amount. The total benefits a child is eligible for depend on their birth date, as this determines which schemes they qualify for and how long they can receive the benefits.
Here’s how the benefits differ depending on your child’s birth date:
| Child’s date of birth | Benefits under the eligible package |
| 1st April 2027 onwards |
|
| 1st January 2026 to 31st March 2027 |
|
| 14th February 2023 to 31st December 2025 |
|
| 1st January 2015 to 13th February 2023 |
|
| 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2014 |
|
| 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009 |
|
Alongside existing benefits such as the $5,000 MediSave Grant for Newborns to help cover healthcare costs and approximately $2,500 in Edusave contributions throughout primary and secondary school, eligible children could receive close to $70,000 in total Government support as they grow up.
Parents with children already enrolled in the Baby Bonus Scheme will have their children automatically transitioned to the new SG Child Support Package from April 2027.
Parents of eligible children who have not enrolled in the existing scheme should check whether they need to register before the transition. This is especially important for parents who have not applied for the Baby Bonus Scheme for their newborn, which can be done through the LifeSG website.
Cash payouts under the package will be deposited into the bank account linked to your child’s PayNow ID, which uses their NRIC or birth certificate number. This can be a personal account in their name or a joint account with a parent, such as a Child Savings Account.
To receive the 1st payout, parents must register their child’s PayNow ID before 1st April 2027 through their bank’s internet banking platform or mobile app. Just remember not to link it to your child’s CDA, which is reserved for approved expenses.
With several grants and savings schemes available, it’s worth taking the time to check what your child qualifies for and when you can receive each benefit. Familiarise yourself with the full details on the SG Child Support Package to make the most of the support available as your child grows up.
For other parenting-related reads:
Cover image adapted from: Digital for Life, The Smart Local
Do note that the benefits will be disbursed at different stages of your child’s life.
A winter wardrobe doesn’t have to be very costly.
Regardless of what aircon problems you have, these companies will swoop right in to restore…
Getting your steps in hits different when you’ve got company.
Get your period drama moment without flying to China.
No need to fret if you didn’t manage to cop yours during the pre-order.