During the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore introduced the Baby Support Grant (BSG) to help families manage extra costs when welcoming a new child. Since then, support has expanded through enhancements to the Baby Bonus Scheme and added benefits for larger families. Initially set to end earlier, these programs have now been extended until February 2026, offering continued financial relief for parents. This guide outlines what the BSG covers, who qualifies, and what additional support is available for families with three or more children.
Table of Contents
Overview
| Benefit Type | Amount (S$) |
|---|---|
| Baby Bonus Cash Gift | 13,000 |
| CDA First Step Grant | 10,000 |
| CDA Government Matching | Up to 9,000 |
| MediSave Grant | 5,000 |
| LifeSG Credits (6 years) | 6,000 |
| Total Estimated Support | 43,000+ |
Families with babies born between October 2020 and February 2023 could also receive the extra S$3,000 Baby Support Grant, increasing the overall support.
What Is the Baby Support Grant?
Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Baby Support Grant (BSG) is a one-time cash payment of S$3,000. Its goal was to provide direct financial support to parents who welcomed babies during a period marked by job uncertainty, rising living costs, and social restrictions.
By helping to offset some of the early expenses of having a child, the grant aimed to give parents peace of mind during an especially challenging chapter.
Who Qualifies for the Baby Support Grant?
To receive the BSG, families had to meet specific criteria:
- The child must be a Singapore Citizen.
- The baby must be born between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2022.
- Following an extension, it also covered babies born between 1 October 2022 and 13 February 2023.
- Parents must have registered under the Baby Bonus Scheme, Singapore’s broader program of child and family support.
Notably, these conditions focused on supporting families directly impacted by the pandemic period and those who took steps to join the government’s broader child support schemes.
How the Grant Was Paid
Receiving the Baby Support Grant was designed to be straightforward:
- Eligible parents received S$3,000 automatically.
- Funds were credited into the bank account linked to the Baby Bonus Scheme.
- No separate application was required for families who already signed up.
- For babies born under the extended coverage period, the payments arrived in the second half of 2023 or early 2024.
With the extension until February 2026, this simple process will remain in place for newly eligible families.
Baby Bonus Scheme: Ongoing Help Beyond the Pandemic
While the BSG provided short-term help, Singapore’s main child support program is the Baby Bonus Scheme. It combines:
- Cash Gifts given to parents over several years.
- A special savings account called the Child Development Account (CDA).
This approach helps families not just during infancy, but right up until early primary school.
Cash Gift Breakdown (After February 2023)
| Birth Order | Total Cash Gift |
|---|---|
| First Child | S$11,000 |
| Second Child | S$11,000 |
| Third & Later | S$13,000 |
These amounts are paid in stages:
- At birth
- When the child turns 6 and 12 months
- Every 6 months until the child is 6½ years old
The Child Development Account (CDA)
The CDA is a dedicated bank account opened for the child. It’s used to pay for:
- Preschool fees
- Medical care
- Educational expenses
- Approved enrichment activities
To help families make the most of this account, the government offers two main types of support:
| Birth Order | First Step Grant | Government Matching (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Child | S$5,000 | S$4,000 |
| 2nd Child | S$5,000 | S$7,000 |
| 3rd & 4th Child | S$5,000 | S$9,000 |
| 5th+ Child | S$5,000 | S$15,000 |
The First Step Grant is credited automatically once the account is opened, so parents can start using it immediately. For every dollar parents deposit, the government adds the same amount, up to the cap.
New Large Families Scheme (From 18 February 2025)
To encourage larger families and ease their financial burden, the government introduced the Large Families Scheme, starting on 18 February 2025. Key highlights:
- Bigger CDA First Step Grant: S$10,000 (up from S$5,000) for the third child onwards.
- Higher MediSave Grant: S$5,000 deposited into each child’s MediSave account for future healthcare.
- LifeSG Credits: S$1,000 per year from the child’s first birthday until age six (total S$6,000).
- Extra discounts: Special offers on baby products and services through selected merchant partners.
All these benefits are automatic for families already in the Baby Bonus Scheme.
How to Access These Benefits (Extended Until February 2026)
Families can make sure they receive the full benefits by following a few simple steps:
- Register for the Baby Bonus Scheme: Up to 8 weeks before the baby is born via the LifeSG app or government portal.
- Provide bank and CDA details: Ensure these accounts are correctly set up.
- Track payments: Benefits like cash gifts and grants are credited automatically.
- Top up the CDA: To unlock matching grants, deposit your own savings into the child’s CDA.
FAQs
Q1. Who can get the Baby Support Grant?
A: Families whose babies are Singapore Citizens born between October 2020 and February 2023, and who joined the Baby Bonus Scheme.
Q2. Do I need to apply for the Baby Support Grant?
A: No, it’s credited automatically to the bank account linked to your Baby Bonus Scheme registration.
Q3. Until when is the settlement and grant support extended?
A: The settlement and related support have now been extended until February 2026.
