In Singapore, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) plays a big role in raising public funds. But for many lower- and middle-income households, this tax can make everyday expenses harder to manage. To reduce this pressure, the government created the GST Support Scheme. It was first introduced in 2012 and has continued to grow stronger over the years. In 2025, the GST rate stands at 8%, making this support even more important.
The GST Support Scheme is specially designed to help those who need it most. It offers four types of help: direct cash support, medical savings, utility bill relief, and help with housing maintenance costs. Each part of the scheme is meant to cover a basic need, like food, healthcare, power, and home cleanliness. With living costs continuing to rise, this scheme helps families stay financially stable.
This article explains everything you need to know about the 2025 GST Support Scheme. We’ll break down who qualifies, how much support is offered, and when payments will be made. Whether you’re checking if you’re eligible or just want to understand how the system works, this guide is here to help.
Overview: What Is the GST Support Scheme?
The GST Support Scheme was created to balance the effects of GST on people with lower incomes. Since GST applies to all, regardless of how much you earn, those with smaller incomes feel the impact more. To fix this, the government designed this scheme to give financial help where it’s needed most.
Key Goals of the Scheme:
- Provide direct help for daily living expenses
- Offer support for medical needs, especially for older citizens
- Lower utility bills for HDB households
- Help with housing upkeep and cleanliness costs
- Make sure no one is left behind in Singapore’s growing economy
Cash Help: Immediate Financial Relief
The Cash Support part of the scheme gives direct money payouts to eligible Singaporeans. It’s meant to help cover daily needs like groceries and transport.
- When is it paid? August 2025
- Who gets it? Singapore citizens aged 21 and above, with lower income and only one property.
MediSave: Health Support for Seniors
Healthcare is costly, especially for the elderly. The MediSave part of the scheme adds money to the CPF MediSave accounts of older citizens to help pay for medical services, insurance, and long-term care.
- When is it paid? August 2025
- Who gets it? Singaporeans aged 65 and above
U-Save: Lowering Utility Bills
Utility bills are a big concern for many families. The U-Save rebate helps reduce electricity, gas, and water bills. It is paid every three months and automatically goes into the utility account.
- Payment Months: January, April, July, October 2025
- Who qualifies? All eligible HDB households
S&CC Rebate: Help with Home Maintenance Fees
Public housing needs to be maintained, and that costs money. The Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebate helps pay for estate cleaning, upkeep, and other shared services in HDB flats.
- Payment Months: April, July, October 2025 and January 2026
- Who gets it? Eligible HDB households
- How it works: Credited directly to your S&CC account
Getting Your Payments: What You Need to Know
Cash & MediSave Support:
If you’ve signed up for past government payouts, no need to reapply. Payments are sent via:
- PayNow (linked to NRIC)
- Bank Transfer
- GovCash (for those without bank accounts)
U-Save & S&CC Rebates:
These are automatically credited to the right accounts—no action needed. Unused U-Save rebates will be rolled over to the next month’s bill.