Singapore $190 Cost of Living Top-Up 2025 Payouts Start 28 Oct

Singapore is rolling out a $190 Cost of Living top-up to help households cope with higher prices for essentials like groceries, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Announced under Budget 2025, this one-time payment starts crediting from 28 October 2025 and is targeted at low and middle income Singaporeans. For most eligible citizens, no application is needed because the authorities will use existing data to process the payout.

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Why this $190 payout matters

Singapore $190 Cost of Living Top-Up 2025 Payouts Start 28 Oct

Many households are feeling tighter budgets as everyday costs climb. The $190 top-up provides timely relief before year end so families can better handle recurring bills and necessities. It complements broader measures such as GST Vouchers, CDC Vouchers, and U-Save rebates, ensuring support flows to the groups most at risk of being squeezed by inflation. Seniors living alone, single income families, and young adults starting out stand to benefit from the extra buffer. While the amount is modest, it can meaningfully offset a month of utility charges, several weeks of transport fares, or part of a grocery bill when combined with ongoing schemes.

Quick Summary

Item	Details
Benefit name	Cost of Living Top-Up 2025
Amount	$190 one-time payment
Disbursement window	From 28 October 2025
Who gets it	Eligible Singapore Citizens aged 21 and above meeting income and property criteria
How it is paid	Direct bank credit via PayNow NRIC or registered bank account
Action needed	Ensure PayNow NRIC link and bank details are updated by 24 October 2025
Official site	https://www.mof.gov.sg

Eligibility at a glance

Eligibility is assessed automatically based on 2024 income, citizenship, age, and property ownership recorded with the Government. There is no separate form if your details are already on file.

Category	Key criteria	Benefit
Singapore Citizens aged 21 and above	Assessable income up to $34,000 and owning no more than one property	$190
Seniors aged 65 and above in 1 to 3 room HDB flats	Same income and property rules apply, may also receive Silver Support where eligible	$190 plus any separate senior schemes if applicable
Youths aged 21 to 30	Annual income up to $24,000	$190
Owners of exactly one property	Income up to $34,000	$190
Multiple property owners	More than one property	Not eligible

Timeline and what to expect

Now to 24 October 2025
Review and update your payout details. Link your NRIC to PayNow through your banking app. Check that your bank account on MyInfo is active and correct. If you previously used GovCash, verify whether you must re-enrol or switch to PayNow NRIC.
From 28 October 2025
The $190 will be credited to your linked bank account. You will receive it either as a PayNow NRIC transfer or a standard bank GIRO credit, depending on your setup.
After you are paid
Keep the notification for your records. If your payment does not arrive within the disbursement window, follow the steps in the section titled If your payment is delayed.

How to avoid delays

Link PayNow to your NRIC in your bank’s app. This is the fastest route for most Government disbursements.
Confirm your bank account in MyInfo using Singpass so that your latest details are on file.
Review any GovCash preference and switch to PayNow if you prefer direct crediting.
Check your name and NRIC number are entered exactly as on your identification documents.
Do not change bank accounts at the last minute unless necessary. If you must, update both PayNow NRIC and MyInfo immediately.

How this top-up fits into wider support

The $190 top-up is part of a layered approach to affordability. It sits alongside GST Vouchers that reduce the impact of consumption taxes on lower income groups, Community Development Council Vouchers that directly subsidise daily purchases at heartland merchants and supermarkets, and U-Save rebates that offset utility bills. Together, these moves help stabilise household budgets during a period of cost pressures while keeping the system targeted and fiscally responsible.

Practical uses for the $190

Utilities
Offset one or more monthly SP bills, especially during hotter months with higher air-conditioning usage.
Transport
Cover a portion of adult monthly concession passes or top up your stored value for several weeks.
Groceries
Stretch staples like rice, oil, eggs, and fresh produce, or stock up on household consumables.
Healthcare
Pay for repeat medications, dental checkups, or essential screening not fully covered elsewhere.

If your payment is delayed

If the deposit has not arrived within the stated window, take these steps in order:

Check your PayNow NRIC link is active and points to the correct bank account.
Verify MyInfo bank details and update if you changed accounts recently.
Look for SMS or email notifications that may indicate a failed credit attempt or an issue with your account.
Contact your bank to confirm there is no block on incoming Government payments.
Reach out via the official MOF contact page with your NRIC, bank name, and a brief description of the issue.

Responsible use and common pitfalls

The payout is one-time, not a monthly benefit. Plan spending so the relief stretches across the period you expect higher bills.
Do not rely on cheque collection. Payments are by direct credit only.
Beware of scams. The Government will not ask for your banking password, OTP, or to transfer money to release the payout. Check that any messages come from official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who qualifies for the $190 Cost of Living Top-Up 2025

Singapore Citizens aged 21 and above who meet the income and property ownership criteria are eligible. Those with multiple properties are not eligible.

2. When will the payout be credited

Credits begin from 28 October 2025. The exact day you receive funds may vary slightly depending on your bank and whether you use PayNow NRIC or a direct GIRO credit.

3. Do I need to apply

No application is required for most citizens. Eligibility is assessed automatically using Government records such as income and property data.

4. How do I update my details

Link PayNow to your NRIC via your bank’s app and confirm your bank account in MyInfo using Singpass. Aim to complete updates by 24 October 2025.

5. What if I do not have PayNow NRIC

You can still receive the payout by GIRO if you have a valid bank account registered in MyInfo. If neither is available, set up PayNow NRIC with your bank as it is the preferred route for prompt crediting.