To assist citizens in managing continuing global inflation, the Singapore Government has announced that the government shall follow through with the disbursement of $600 Cost-of-Living Special Payment in December 2025. The one-time cash payment is part of a wider support scheme to provide immediate relief to eligible Singaporean households.
Purpose of the Special Payment
The purpose behind this direct cash payment is to support families and individuals facing increases in expenses for daily necessities like food and transport. The payment does not have to be repaid and is a one-off cash payment to complement any other assistance that the household might be receiving from the government, such as U-Save rebates and GST Vouchers. This payment allows them to spend it on whatever they wish.
Who is Eligible for the Payout?
Eligibility is largely dependent on being a Singaporean citizen. The main consideration would be the applicant’s age and income. Ordinarily, all Singaporeans of age 21 and older in any year would be eligible; however, those with multiple properties or who have a high annual assessable income may be given a lesser amount or none at all. Existing records would be used by a government agency to determine qualification so that it can be done automatically.
How Will You Receive This Money
In most cases, this transfer will be automatic and seamless. The money will be credited into the bank accounts you use for the Government PayNow NRIC facility. This constitutes the most immediate and secure way of receipt. Alternatively, should you not have any bank account linked to PayNow, a cheque will be sent to your residential address as listed in the registry.
Summary of the $600 Payout
| Aspect of the Payout | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Payout Amount | S$600 |
| Scheduled Disbursement | December 2025 |
| Primary Eligibility | Singaporean Citizens aged 21 and above, subject to income and property ownership criteria. |
| Payment Method | Direct bank transfer (via PayNow NRIC) or cheque. |
Preparing for the Payout
The first thing to do is to make sure your details are updated so that the payment will not get delayed. You must link your NRIC to your bank account via PayNow and update your residential address with the IRAS. Official details, including final eligibility criteria, will be made available on the GoWhere website run by the Government nearer the disbursement period. This payout is a key step toward strengthening household financial resilience as the year draws to an end.
