Singaporean families are set to gain significant financial relief in 2025, as the government moves forward with its Child LifeSG Credits (CLC) and education top-up scheme. Beginning in July 2025, children aged 12 and below will automatically receive \$500 in digital credits, while students aged 13 to 20 will enjoy a one-off \$500 boost to their Edusave or Post-Secondary Education Accounts (PSEA).

In total, 450,000 children across Singapore will benefit from this initiative—part of a larger Budget 2025 support package designed to help families manage rising living and education costs.

Disbursement Timeline – When Families Will Get the Support

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) confirmed the payment schedule for this new round of support:

• Children born between 2013 and 2024 → \$500 Child LifeSG Credits, disbursed in the week of July 7, 2025.
• Children born in 2025 → \$500 credits scheduled for April 2026.
• Students aged 13 to 20 → Automatic \$500 Edusave or PSEA top-up beginning July 2025, covering around 300,000 students.

Parents will be notified via SMS once funds are credited, ensuring transparency and reducing administrative hassle. Importantly, no applications are required—all payments are automatic for eligible families.

How Families Can Use the \$500 Child LifeSG Credits

The Child LifeSG Credits are designed to support daily household needs, making it easier for families to cope with inflation and the rising cost of raising children.

The credits, which are deposited directly into a child’s digital wallet on the LifeSG app, can be spent on:

• Groceries at supermarkets and selected retail outlets
• Pharmacy purchases, including health and wellness items
• Utility bill payments
• Public transport expenses through linked digital wallets

By targeting everyday essentials, the scheme ensures the funds are practical and immediately impactful for families across Singapore.

Education Account Top-Ups – Building for the Future

For older students, the government’s initiative takes the form of direct top-ups to education savings accounts:

• Around 300,000 students aged 13 to 20 will receive \$500 credited to their Edusave or Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA).
• These top-ups will supplement existing annual contributions, helping cover costs such as:
• Textbooks and school supplies
• Extracurricular and enrichment programs
• Tertiary education fees at polytechnics, ITE, and universities

This measure provides a long-term financial cushion, ensuring students can access quality education without overwhelming families with additional expenses.

Why This Initiative Matters for Families

Raising children in Singapore has become increasingly costly, with families spending on average \$1,000 to \$2,000 per month per child when accounting for education, food, healthcare, and enrichment activities.

The \$500 support may not cover everything, but it represents an important lifeline. Beyond its direct financial impact, the scheme also signals the government’s commitment to easing household burdens at a time when global inflation and local costs continue to rise.

For families juggling groceries, tuition, transport, and medical bills, these credits provide meaningful relief.

Part of Budget 2025 Measures

The disbursements are part of Singapore’s Budget 2025 household support package, unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

The broader support framework includes:

• CDC Vouchers for all households, encouraging local community spending
• GST Vouchers to offset tax-related expenses for lower- and middle-income groups
• Targeted education support through Edusave and PSEA enhancements
• Family-focused schemes such as Baby Bonus enhancements and parental leave extensions

The Child LifeSG Credits and education top-ups are specifically targeted at families with children, complementing these wider measures.

Inclusive Eligibility – Who Qualifies?

Eligibility rules are designed to ensure that most Singaporean families benefit, regardless of income level.

• Child LifeSG Credits (CLC):
• Every Singapore citizen aged 12 and below qualifies.
• No restrictions based on family income, housing type, or assets.
• Edusave/PSEA Top-Ups:
• Every Singaporean student aged 13 to 20 qualifies.
• Funds are credited automatically into existing Edusave or PSEA accounts.

This inclusive approach ensures support reaches a wide spectrum of families—from single-parent households to multi-generational families.

No Application Hassle – Automatic and Transparent

One of the strengths of this initiative is its ease of access. Families do not need to apply separately; the government uses existing records to identify eligible children.

• Child LifeSG Credits: Parents receive an SMS notification, and funds appear in the LifeSG digital wallet.
• Education Top-Ups: Credited directly to the student’s Edusave or PSEA account, with balances viewable online.

This system prevents bureaucratic delays, reduces errors, and ensures families receive timely support without additional paperwork.

The Bigger Picture – Supporting Singapore’s Demographic Goals

The initiative is not just about financial aid—it also ties into Singapore’s broader demographic and economic policies.

1. Encouraging Family Growth: With fertility rates declining, the government continues to enhance benefits to support parents in raising children.
2. Investing in Education: By boosting education savings, Singapore reinforces its reputation as a knowledge-driven economy.
3. Promoting Fairness: By making the scheme inclusive and automatic, it avoids the stigma sometimes attached to means-tested benefits.

Addressing Rising Costs – A Timely Intervention

The \$500 payout comes at a crucial time. Costs of essentials—from food to healthcare—have risen sharply. Inflationary pressures, coupled with global uncertainties, have placed a strain on middle- and low-income households.

By offsetting everyday costs for younger children and reducing long-term education expenses for older ones, the initiative provides dual relief for families at different stages of child-raising.

5 FAQs

Q1: Who is eligible for the \$500 Child LifeSG Credits in 2025?
All Singaporean children aged 12 and below are eligible, with no income or housing restrictions.

Q2: How will parents receive the \$500 Child LifeSG Credits?
Funds are credited automatically to the LifeSG digital wallet, with parents notified via SMS.

Q3: Who qualifies for the \$500 Edusave/PSEA top-up?
Singaporean students aged 13 to 20 will receive the automatic top-up to their Edusave or PSEA accounts.

Q4: When will the disbursements take place?
Child LifeSG credits will be released the week of July 7, 2025 for children born between 2013–2024, and in April 2026 for children born in 2025. Education top-ups begin July 2025.

Q5: Do families need to apply for these benefits?
No. Both the LifeSG credits and Edusave/PSEA top-ups are automatic, requiring no separate application.