Singaporeans to Get Nearly $400 in Vouchers, up to $316 in Cash as Cost-of-Living Support

Why It Matters

The measures directly cushion household budgets amid persistent inflation, sustaining consumer demand and social stability in Singapore’s high‑cost economy.

Key Takeaways

• 2.4 million Singaporeans receive cash and voucher support.
• Cash payout up to S$400 for incomes below S$100k.
• All households get S$500 voucher for local merchants.
• U‑Save rebates increased to S$570 for HDB residents.
• Scheme continues annually since 2020 to curb inflation.

Pulse Analysis

Singapore’s latest fiscal package reflects a pragmatic response to lingering cost‑of‑living pressures. By coupling a means‑tested cash disbursement with universal vouchers, the government aims to protect low‑to‑middle‑income earners while stimulating spending at small‑scale retailers and supermarkets. The eligibility thresholds—annual income under S$100,000 and a single property limit—ensure that the cash component reaches those most vulnerable to price spikes, whereas the voucher scheme, covering all households, injects liquidity into local commerce, reinforcing the city‑state’s broader economic resilience.

The expanded U‑Save rebates, now up to S$570 for residents of Housing & Development Board flats, address a separate but related challenge: soaring utility bills driven by a near‑doubling of carbon taxes. By timing rebate payouts in April and July, the policy aligns with peak utility consumption periods, effectively lowering out‑of‑pocket expenses for one‑ and two‑room flat occupants and providing modest relief for larger units. This layered approach—cash, vouchers, and utility subsidies—demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to a multi‑pronged safety net that mitigates inflationary shocks without over‑relying on any single instrument.

From a macro perspective, these interventions signal a cautious yet proactive fiscal stance. While Singapore maintains a reputation for fiscal prudence, the targeted outlays underscore a willingness to deploy discretionary spending to preserve household purchasing power and sustain domestic demand. For businesses, especially hawkers and neighborhood merchants, the voucher program promises a predictable boost in foot traffic, potentially offsetting post‑pandemic recovery lags. Looking ahead, the continuity of this scheme—running annually since 2020—suggests it will become an entrenched component of Singapore’s social contract, balancing growth objectives with inclusive welfare.

Singaporeans to get nearly $400 in vouchers, up to $316 in cash as cost-of-living support

By Hien Nguyen · February 12, 2026 · 10:50 pm PT

![People walk on the boardwalk in front of commercial high‑rise buildings at Marina Bay in Singapore on Sept. 26, 2024. Photo by AFP]

Singapore will give all households S$500 (US$396) in vouchers and eligible adults a S$200‑400 (US$158‑316) cash payout as part of its 2026 national budget to help with living expenses.

The cash payout, called the Cost‑of‑Living Special Payment, will be issued in September to Singapore citizens living in the city‑state who are aged 21 and above in 2026, have an assessable annual income of up to S$100,000 and own no more than one property.

The amount each recipient gets will depend on their income level and the annual value of their residence.

Some 2.4 million Singaporeans are expected to benefit from this scheme, the city‑state’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in the Budget 2026 on Thursday, as cited by Channel News Asia.

The S$500 in Community Development Council vouchers, meanwhile, will benefit all households in Singapore, or about 1.4 million in total. They will be distributed in January 2027 and remain valid until the end of that year. Half can be redeemed at participating heartland merchants and hawkers, while the remainder can be spent at selected supermarket chains.

The scheme was launched in 2020 and expanded in 2021 to help households manage living expenses and support businesses affected by the Covid‑19 pandemic. It has been given out every year since Budget 2021. The three most recent tranches were S$300 in January 2025, S$500 in May 2025 and S$300 in January 2026.

This year’s budget also includes additional U‑Save rebates to offset utility costs for households living in Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats, which, according to the agency’s website, house about 80 % of the city‑state’s resident population. Eligible households can get up to S$570 in the current financial year, equivalent to 1.5 times the usual amount.

The rebates will be paid out in April and July and will cover around five months of utilities expenses for residents of one‑ and two‑room flats, and roughly two months for those living in three‑ and four‑room units. These aim to cushion higher utility costs as the carbon tax has nearly doubled this year.

“Although inflation has eased in recent years, we know that many Singaporeans still face anxieties and pressures,” Wong, who is also the city‑state’s finance minister, said during his Thursday announcement, as quoted by The Business Times.

“The government will continue to do whatever is necessary to help Singaporeans manage cost pressures – for as long as it is needed.”