Greetings to you and your family. Hope that everyone is well and safe. Did you know that in 1988, Mothers in Singapore with a third child would get $750 in child relief. If a mother had three 'O'-level passes in one sitting, she would qualify for an enhanced child relief rebate. Having a fourth child would qualify for enhanced child relief of $750 plus 15% of the mother's income, up to $10,000. This was a result of the government's reversal of their Stop-at-Two policy and to kickstart Have Three or More (if you can afford it) policy. 

Today, parents can expect as much as $21,000 in cash and cash-like benefits on the birth of their first child, in addition to parental leave, and subsidised preschool and healthcare.

As stated by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in their website:

To support couples in their decision to have more children, the Baby Bonus Scheme helps to lighten the financial costs of raising children. The Scheme is part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package and includes a Cash Gift and Child Development Account (CDA) benefits.

We’ve arranged this FAQ for you to get the information you need fast! #TLDR

*Disclaimer: The following information is correct as at October 2021.

 

1. When can I expect to receive the first payment? To whose account will it be credited?

Within 7 to 10 working days of your child’s birth registration, or after completing the online form, whichever is later. Some parents have said to receive it as early as on the 4th day. Parents must decide between them who will be the Bank Account Holder to receive the cash gift. 

 

2. How much can you expect to receive?

Parents will receive the Cash Gift in 5 instalments, over 18 months.

 

 

Time	Amount of cash gift disbursed
	First and Second Birth Orders	Third and Subsequent Birth Orders
Within 7 to 10 working days from birth registration or joining the scheme, whichever is later	$3,000	$4,000
When the child turns 6 months old	$1,500	$2,000
When the child turns 12 months old	$1,500	$2,000
When the child turns 15 months old	$1,000	$1,000
When the child turns 18 months old	$1,000	$1,000
Total	$8,000	$10,000

 

3. Must I apply for the Baby Bonus?

You can submit the online form for your child to join the Scheme as early as 2 months before their estimated delivery date. Please click here for the form. 

Alternatively, after delivery, the nurse will advise you to do the birth registration of your child.

 

4. How many bank accounts will be opened for my child?

Three.

1. Child Development Account
2. Joint Savings Account with Parent
3. Personal Savings Account (not listed in iBanking)

Previously, it used to be just two. Do contact your bank for more information.

 

5. Is CDA First Step Grant and Cash Gift the same thing?

No. Baby Bonus comes in 2 forms.

1. Funds credited in CDA account can only be used to pay for educational and healthcare expenses of all your children at  Baby Bonus Approved Institutions.
2. Funds credited into the provided Bank Account Holder as cash gift can be used as you wish.

 

6. What is Baby Support Grant and do I qualify for that too?

As stated in this website https://www.madeforfamilies.gov.sg/raising-families/baby-support-grant

The Government has received feedback that COVID-19 has caused some aspiring parents to postpone their parenthood plans. To help reassure couples to proceed with their parenthood plans, the Government will provide a one-off Baby Support Grant (BSG) of $3,000, for children born from 1 Oct 2020 to 30 Sep 2022. 

 

 

7. Where can I get more information on CDA such as CDA First Step Grant,  dollar-for-dollar Government co-matching, what can be paid using CDA or more?

https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/