In 2025, Singapore continues to bolster its social support framework through enhancements to the Goods and Services Tax Voucher (GSTV) scheme. These updates aim to provide greater assistance to lower- and middle-income Singaporeans amidst economic challenges.
Key Updates to the GST Voucher Scheme
The GSTV scheme, a cornerstone of Singapore’s social support system, has undergone significant enhancements in 2025:
- Increased Annual Value (AV) Thresholds: Effective 1 January 2025, the AV threshold for the second tier of social support schemes, including the GSTV, has been raised from $25,000 to $31,000. This adjustment ensures that more Singaporeans qualify for assistance, reflecting changes in property values and living costs.
- Enhanced Cash Payouts: Eligible Singaporeans can receive up to $850 in cash payouts in August 2025, depending on their income levels and property AV.
- MediSave Top-Ups: Singaporeans aged 65 and above will receive MediSave top-ups ranging from $150 to $450 in August 2025, aiding in their healthcare expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the GSTV benefits in 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria
- Citizenship: Must be a Singaporean citizen.
- Age: Aged 21 years and above.
- Assessable Income (AI): Not exceeding $34,000 for the Year of Assessment 2024.
- Property Ownership: Own no more than one property.
- Annual Value (AV) of Residence: The AV of the applicant’s residence, based on 2024 valuations, should not exceed $21,000 for the first tier or $31,000 for the second tier.
Applicants can verify their eligibility and sign up for the GSTV scheme through the official govbenefits website.
Disbursement Schedule
The disbursement of GSTV benefits is scheduled as follows:
- Cash Payouts: Eligible citizens will receive their cash payouts in August 2025.
- MediSave Top-Ups: For seniors aged 65 and above, MediSave top-ups will be credited in August 2025.
Citizens who sign up for the GSTV scheme after the initial deadline but by 20 June 2025 will receive their payments by the end of the following month.
Modes of Payment
To facilitate efficient distribution, the Ministry of Finance employs several payment methods:MOF
- PayNow-NRIC: Citizens who have linked their NRIC to PayNow will receive their payments directly into their bank accounts. This method is encouraged for its convenience and speed.
- Bank Credit: Those without PayNow-NRIC can update their bank account information (with DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB) on the govbenefits website by 26 July 2025 to receive payments via bank credit.
- GovCash: Eligible citizens without linked bank accounts will receive payments through GovCash. They can withdraw their cash at OCBC ATMs islandwide using their Payment Reference Number (PRN), NRIC, and after passing facial verification.
Additional Support Measures
Beyond the GSTV scheme, the government has introduced other support measures in 2025:
- Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers: All Singaporean households will receive $500 in CDC Vouchers from 13 May 2025, with an additional $300 to be disbursed in January 2026. These vouchers aim to support local businesses and alleviate living costs.
- U-Save and S&CC Rebates: Over 950,000 HDB households will benefit from U-Save rebates of up to $190 and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in April 2025, helping to offset utility and maintenance expenses.
Staying Informed and Vigilant
Eligible recipients will be notified of their benefits via SMS or letters sent to their registered addresses. It’s crucial to remain vigilant against scams; the government will never request personal banking details through unsolicited communications. For verification and more information, citizens can visit the official MOF website or contact the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
