SINGAPORE: Some three million adult Singaporeans aged 21 and above in 2026 will receive a cash payment of between S$100 and S$600 from Dec 5.
The payouts are part of the enhanced Assurance Package that was announced in Budget 2023, with the sum dispensed dependent on one’s assessable income and the number of properties owned.
In a statement on Friday (Nov 7), the Ministry of Finance said the Assurance Package cash payments “help defray living expenses for Singaporean households and provide more support for lower- to middle-income families”.
During Budget 2023, it was announced that the Assurance Package will be topped up by $3 billion, bringing the total amount to be eventually disbursed to $9.6 billion.
Further enhancements were made, and it now provides more than $10 billion in cash payouts, MediSave top-ups and CDC vouchers, as well as additional U-Save and service and conservancy charges rebates to households. Those who link their NRIC to PayNow by Nov 23 will receive the payouts first, by Dec 5, said the ministry.
Meanwhile, those who have not linked their NRIC to PayNow, but have a DBS, POSB, OCBC or UOB bank account, can provide their bank account information at the GovBenefits website by Nov 29. This will allow them to receive the cash payment through Giro by Dec 16.
A third group – those who do not have their NRIC linked to PayNow, or lack a valid bank account – will receive their payment through GovCash by Dec 22.
Those who fall under this category can withdraw the amount disbursed at any OCBC ATM islandwide. They do not need an existing OCBC bank account, and will only need to pass some verification checks, including a facial scan.
The Finance Ministry added that eligible recipients will be notified through an SMS with the gov.sg sender identification. The messages will be sent before and after the cash payment is credited.
If an individual does not have a Singpass-registered mobile number, a letter will be sent to their home address, according to information on their NRIC.
The ministry also stressed that government officials will never ask individuals to transfer money or disclose their bank login details over the phone.
To find out one’s eligibility for the payout, visit govbenefits.gov.sg for more information or call 1800-2222-888. - The Straits Times/ANN
