Raising a child in Singapore isn’t cheap. Diapers, childcare, medical bills, preschool fees—it adds up faster than most parents expect. That’s why the Singapore Child Bonus 2025 update matters, especially for families thinking about having more than one child.
Effective for Singapore Citizen children born on or after 18 February 2025, the refreshed Baby Bonus Scheme and new Large Families Scheme are designed to ease real costs, not just look good on paper. The biggest shift? Much stronger support for third and subsequent children.
Let’s break it down in plain terms.
Why the Singapore Child Bonus 2025 Is Different
Here’s the thing. Earlier versions of the Baby Bonus helped, but many parents still felt stretched—especially once childcare and school expenses kicked in.
The 2025 update does two important things:
- Increases upfront and long-term financial support
- Makes having a larger family more realistic, not risky
Instead of one-time help, the system now combines cash payouts, savings matching, and healthcare support that grow with your child.
Baby Bonus Cash Gift: Steady Help in the Early Years
Under the Singapore Child Bonus 2025, parents receive a Baby Bonus Cash Gift paid out every six months until the child turns 6.5 years old.
This staggered payout helps with ongoing expenses like milk powder, childcare fees, and everyday needs—rather than forcing parents to stretch a lump sum.
Cash gift amounts:
- First child: 11,000 dollars
- Second child: 11,000 dollars
- Third and subsequent children: 13,000 dollars
That extra amount for larger families makes a noticeable difference over time.
Child Development Account: Savings That Grow Faster
Every eligible child gets a Child Development Account (CDA), which works like a special savings account for approved child-related expenses.
It includes:
- A First Step Grant deposited automatically
- Dollar-for-dollar government matching on parents’ savings
Here’s how it stacks up by birth order:
- First child:
- First Step Grant: 5,000 dollars
- Matching cap: 4,000 dollars
- Second child:
- First Step Grant: 5,000 dollars
- Matching cap: 7,000 dollars
- Third and subsequent children:
- First Step Grant: 10,000 dollars
- Matching cap: at least 9,000 dollars
That’s serious help for childcare, healthcare, and education expenses.
Extra Support for Large Families
Families with a third or subsequent child born from 18 February 2025 receive additional benefits under the Large Families Scheme.
These include:
- A 5,000-dollar MediSave Grant for the mother
- 1,000 dollars in LifeSG Credits every year until the child turns six
Together, these add up to about 16,000 dollars in extra support per eligible child.
How to Get the Benefits
Most of the process is automatic:
- Register your child’s birth and enrol via the LifeSG app
- Open a CDA with DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB
- Grants and matching kick in without separate applications
Still, it’s smart to double-check details on madeforfamilies.gov.sg.