Budget 2025: $800 CDC vouchers, $500 in LifeSG credits and thousands more announced
If you have run out of CDC vouchers, be grateful for the Budget 2025 speech by Minister Lawrence Wong earlier today. This was his first Budget as Prime Minister (PM), having led the past 3 instalments as the key controller of the country’s finances as Finance Minister.
We have compiled the cost-of-living measures announced at Budget 2025 if you missed it.
1. Every household to get S$800 in CDC vouchers
Although inflation is expected to ease further this year, prices of household items remain high, with Singaporeans having to adjust to this new reality.
To further support Singaporeans, every household will get an extra S$800 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.
The first S$500 will be disbursed in May, while the remaining S$300, in Jan 2026.
As with previous rounds, half can be used at participating supermarkets. The other half can be spent at participating merchants and hawkers.
2. Extra U-Save rebates to help with utilities expenses
Eligible households in Housing Development Board (HDB) flats will get up to S$760 in U-Save rebates this financial year.
This is double the amount of regular U-Save rebates. It can cover about 6 months of utility expenses for those living in one- and two-room HDB flats.
Those in three- and four-room flats will have about 3 months of utility expenses covered.
3. S$500 in LifeSG credits for kids under 12; S$500 Edusave or PSEA top-ups for 13 to 20 y.o.s
Each Singaporean child aged 12 and below in 2025 will receive S$500 in LifeSG credits. These credits are the same ones given to all national servicemen last year. Parents will be able to use these for expenses such as groceries, utilities and pharmacy items.
Additionally, every Singaporean aged between 13 and 20 in 2025 will get a S$500 top-up to their Edusave accounts or their Post-Secondary Education Accounts.
4. Increase in ComCare Assistance rates
Announced at Budget 2025, the rates for the ComCare Assistance scheme will be increased to better support lower-income households with their basic living expenses.
Those receiving Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance will also get more than before. But this will depend on their household income. The Government will also increase the Singapore Allowance to S$390 each month, up from S$350. This is an ex gratia payment that pensioners receive.
Meanwhile, the monthly pension ceiling will increase to S$1,320.
5. Climate vouchers increased to S$400
To encourage sustainable lifestyles, the government will enhance its climate vouchers scheme, which allows Singaporeans to buy energy- and water-efficient products.
Under the enhanced scheme announced at Budget 2025, Housing Board households will receive an extra S$100 in climate vouchers, bringing it to S$400. The Government will also extend the climate vouchers to Singapore Citizen households in private residences.
These vouchers will be valid till Dec 2027.
6. Financial top-ups for ComLink+ families
More customised support for families has been provided under the ComLink+ initiative introduced last year. The scheme aims to uplift lower-income families with children towards stability, self-reliance and social mobility.
Currently, family coaches and volunteer befrienders work with families to develop plans and goals, such as finding a job and saving for a home. As the families make progress, they will receive financial top-ups in the form of ComLink+ Progress Packages.
7. Lowering of fee caps in government pre-schools
To further support families across every stage of life, there will be a further reduction in monthly full-day fee caps in government pre-schools. The Government will cap school fees at S$610 for anchor operator centres and S$650 for partner operator centres.
A dual-income family can expect to pay around S$300 per child after basic childcare subsidies, and less for lower- and middle-income families.
8. New 5-year Matched Medisave Scheme for eligible lower-income seniors
The launch of the 5-year Matched MediSave Scheme at Budget 2025 will see the Government providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to S$1,000 per year.
This is for every dollar of voluntary top-ups deposited into the MediSave accounts of eligible lower-income seniors aged between 55 and 70.
The scheme, along with the existing Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, will help lower-income seniors, especially those who are homemakers and caregivers.
9.Up to S$800 in SG60 Vouchers
To recognise the contributions of all Singaporeans and to share the benefits of the nation’s progress, PM Wong introduced an SG60 package.
The package will include S$600 in SG60 vouchers for every Singaporean aged 21 and above. Those aged 60 and above will get an additional S$200, for a total of S$800.
The vouchers will be disbursed in Jul 2025 and seniors will be able to redeem them first. SG60 vouchers will be just like CDC vouchers and more details will be shared later on.
10. S$100 worth of credits under SG Culture Pass scheme
PM Wong says that the Government will invest more in strengthening Singaporeans’ cultural core and community bonds, which will build cohesion and unity.
To that end, all Singaporeans aged 18 and above will get S$100 worth of credits through the SG Culture Pass.
These can be used to attend specific activities, such as arts and cultural performances, museum exhibitions, and heritage experiences.
The credits will be available from Sep 2025 and will be valid until the end of 2028.
11. S$100 ActiveSG credits
Those residing in Toa Payoh, Punggol and Clementi can look forward to new sports facilities in the coming years, with upgrades being made to existing ones in Pasir Ris, Queenstown and Hougang. PM Wong says that ActiveSG members will also get S$100 in credits.
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