Singapore Budget 2026 for Parents: Complete Guide to Family Benefits
Singapore Budget 2026, announced on 18 February 2026, includes $500 in Child LifeSG Credits for every Singaporean child aged 12 and below, expanded preschool subsidies with the income ceiling raised to $15,000/month, reduced childcare fee caps of $610-$650/month, $500 in CDC Vouchers for all households, and enhanced support for large families worth up to $16,000 per third or subsequent child.
Budget 2026 Overview for Families
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the Budget 2026 statement on 18 February 2026, with a section dedicated to giving families more support and greater assurance.
Here is a breakdown of every measure that affects parents and families, with amounts, eligibility, and payout dates based on the official Budget Statement and government sources.
Child LifeSG Credits: $500 Per Child
Every Singaporean child aged 12 and below in 2026 will receive $500 in Child LifeSG Credits. This is the same amount given under Budget 2025, bringing the total across both years to $1,000 per eligible child.
How to Use Child LifeSG Credits
- Access via the LifeSG app
- Can be used at online and physical merchants accepting PayNow UEN QR or NETS QR
- Covers groceries, utilities, pharmacy purchases, and other household expenses
When Will the Credits Be Paid?
| Child's Birth Year | Payout Date |
|---|---|
| 2014 to 2025 (aged 1-12 in 2026) | July 2026 |
| Born in 2026 | April 2027 |
Preschool & Childcare Subsidies: Expanded
Budget 2026 continues the government's push to make preschool more affordable. Two changes take effect:
1. Reduced Childcare Fee Caps (From January 2026)
Full-day childcare fee caps at government-supported operators have been reduced:
| Operator Type | New Monthly Fee Cap | Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor Operators (e.g. PCF, NTUC My First Skool) | $610/month | Reduced by $30 |
| Partner Operators | $650/month | Reduced by $30 |
2. Higher Income Threshold for Subsidies (From January 2027)
The monthly household income threshold for means-tested preschool subsidies will be raised to $15,000. According to the Budget Statement, this will benefit more than 60,000 families.
Eligible parents, including those who previously qualified, can receive more in infant care and childcare subsidies under the expanded thresholds.
What This Means in Practice
A dual-income family earning up to $15,000/month combined will now qualify for additional subsidies on top of the Basic Subsidy that all Singapore Citizen children receive. The actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on the specific subsidy tier and chosen centre.
Source: Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, Para 118; ECDA Subsidy Overview
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From January 2027, the monthly household income threshold for Student Care Fee Assistance will be raised to $6,500. This means more families with primary school-aged children can qualify for subsidised after-school student care.
The government has also announced a holistic review of the student care sector to study how to better meet the caregiving needs of families with primary school-aged children.
Large Family Scheme: Up to $16,000 Per Child
The Large Family Scheme, introduced in February 2025, provides up to $16,000 in additional benefits for every third or subsequent Singapore Citizen child born on or after 18 February 2025. Budget 2026 continues this support.
What's Included
| Benefit | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Increased CDA First Step Grant | $10,000 (up from $5,000) | Credited to CDA ~2 weeks after account opening. Can be used for preschool and healthcare. |
| Large Family MediSave Grant | $5,000 | Paid into the mother's CPF MediSave Account. Can cover medical expenses for the whole family. |
| Large Family LifeSG Credits | $1,000/year (ages 1-6) | Paid annually via LifeSG app. Usable at PayNow and NETS merchants. Total: up to $6,000. |
| Partner merchant privileges | Varies | Exclusive deals from corporate partners. See go.gov.sg/lfs-deals |
Eligibility
- Child must be a Singapore Citizen
- Must be the 3rd or subsequent child in the family
- Born on or after 18 February 2025
- Must be enrolled in the Baby Bonus Scheme
No separate registration is required. Once your child is enrolled in the Baby Bonus Scheme, MSF will automatically assess their eligibility.
Source: LifeSG - Large Families Scheme
CDC Vouchers: $500 Per Household
All Singaporean households will receive $500 in CDC Vouchers in January 2027.
How to Use CDC Vouchers
- $250 at participating supermarkets
- $250 at participating heartland merchants and hawkers
Cost-of-Living Special Payment: $200 to $400
Singaporean adults will receive a Cost-of-Living Special Payment in cash.
Eligibility
- Assessable Income of up to $100,000
- Do not own more than one property
How Much
Between $200 and $400, depending on income level.
When: September 2026
U-Save Rebates: Up to $570
Eligible HDB households will receive 1.5 times the regular U-Save rebates, amounting to up to $570 for the financial year. This helps offset utility bills and is automatically reflected in SP Group bills.
Payout schedule: April 2026, July 2026, October 2026, and January 2027.
ComLink+ Progress Packages: Enhanced
For lower-income families under the ComLink+ programme, the Progress Packages have been enhanced:
- $500 per quarter for all ComLink+ families who commit to working with family coaches and taking active steps
- Enhanced payouts for maintaining stable employment and good preschool attendance for children
- More payouts in cash (in addition to CPF top-ups) to help families meet immediate needs
According to the Budget Statement, a family with two children under ComLink+ can receive around $10,000 per year in cash and CPF top-ups while their children are in preschool.
Complete Summary: Budget 2026 for Families
| Measure | Amount | Who Gets It | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child LifeSG Credits | $500/child | All SG children aged 12 and below | July 2026 |
| CDC Vouchers | $500/household | All SG households | Jan 2027 |
| Cost-of-Living Payment | $200-$400 | SG adults (income ≤ $100K, ≤ 1 property) | Sep 2026 |
| U-Save Rebates | Up to $570 | Eligible HDB households | Apr, Jul, Oct 2026 & Jan 2027 |
| Preschool subsidy threshold | Raised to $15K/month | 60,000+ families | Jan 2027 |
| Student Care threshold | Raised to $6,500/month | Families with primary school children | Jan 2027 |
| Childcare fee caps | $610-$650/month | Anchor & Partner operators | Jan 2026 (already in effect) |
| Large Family Scheme | Up to $16,000/child | 3rd+ child born from 18 Feb 2025 | Ongoing |
| ComLink+ Packages | ~$10,000/year | ComLink+ families | Ongoing |
Key Dates for Parents
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Reduced childcare fee caps take effect ($610/$650) |
| April 2026 | Large Family LifeSG Credits paid (for 2026 eligible children); U-Save rebate Q1 |
| July 2026 | Child LifeSG Credits $500 disbursed (children born 2014-2025); U-Save rebate Q2 |
| September 2026 | Cost-of-Living Special Payment ($200-$400 cash) |
| October 2026 | U-Save rebate Q3 |
| January 2027 | CDC Vouchers ($500); expanded preschool subsidy threshold ($15K); Student Care threshold ($6,500); U-Save rebate Q4 |
| April 2027 | Child LifeSG Credits for children born in 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Child LifeSG Credits will families get in Budget 2026?
Each Singaporean child aged 12 and below in 2026 will receive $500 in Child LifeSG Credits. This is on top of the $500 given under Budget 2025, for a total of $1,000 across both years. The credits can be used at merchants accepting PayNow UEN QR and NETS QR. (Source: Singapore Budget 2026 Statement)
When will the Budget 2026 Child LifeSG Credits be paid out?
The $500 Child LifeSG Credits will be disbursed from July 2026 for children born from 2014 to 2025. Children born in 2026 will receive the credits from April 2027. (Source: Singapore Budget 2026 Statement)
What is the new income ceiling for preschool subsidies?
From January 2027, the monthly household income threshold for means-tested preschool subsidies will be raised to $15,000. This expansion will benefit more than 60,000 families. (Source: Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, Para 118)
How much is the Large Family Scheme worth per child?
The Large Family Scheme provides up to $16,000 in additional benefits per third or subsequent child born on or after 18 February 2025. This includes a $5,000 increase in the CDA First Step Grant (total $10,000), a $5,000 Large Family MediSave Grant to the mother, and $1,000 per year in Large Family LifeSG Credits from age 1 to 6 (total up to $6,000). No separate registration is required. (Source: LifeSG)
When will CDC Vouchers be given out?
All Singaporean households will receive $500 in CDC Vouchers in January 2027. Half ($250) can be used at participating supermarkets, and the other half ($250) at participating heartland merchants and hawkers. (Source: Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, Para 142(c))
How much will childcare cost in 2026?
From January 2026, the fee cap for full-day childcare at Anchor Operators (e.g. PCF, My First Skool) is $610/month, and at Partner Operators is $650/month. These caps were reduced by $30 each. Lower- and middle-income families also receive additional means-tested subsidies that further reduce out-of-pocket costs. (Source: ECDA)
Do I need to apply for any of these benefits?
Most Budget 2026 benefits are automatically disbursed. Child LifeSG Credits go to parents via the LifeSG app. CDC Vouchers are claimed through the CDC Vouchers website. U-Save rebates are automatically applied to SP Group bills. The Large Family Scheme benefits are automatically assessed once your child is enrolled in the Baby Bonus Scheme. The Cost-of-Living Special Payment is automatically disbursed to eligible Singaporeans.
What if I have three or more children?
Families with three or more children benefit from both the general Budget 2026 measures (Child LifeSG Credits, CDC Vouchers, etc.) and the Large Family Scheme. For your third and subsequent children born on or after 18 February 2025, you receive up to $16,000 in additional benefits per child. Your older children still receive the $500 Child LifeSG Credits if they are aged 12 and below. (Source: LifeSG)
Last Updated: 23 February 2026
Sources:
Singapore Budget 2026 Statement,
LifeSG - Large Families Scheme,
ECDA - Childcare Subsidy Scheme,
MSF - Preschool Subsidies