KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- GST Voucher Scheme remains a permanent support as GST rises.
- Lower-income households get cash, MediSave, U-Save and S&CC help.
- Rebates ease day-to-day bills from utilities to conservancy fees.
The GST Voucher (GSTV) Scheme has become one of those things every Singaporean relies on — especially when prices creep up from Jurong East to Pasir Ris. While many people treat GSTV like an annual bonus, this support is actually a permanent scheme, running since Budget 2012.
The point is simple: as GST goes up, the government wants to make sure lower-income households don’t end up feeling the pinch the most.
Summary Table: What Each GSTV Component Covers
| GSTV Component | Who It Helps | What It Covers | Payout Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTV-Cash | Lower-income adults | Immediate daily needs | Every August |
| GSTV-MediSave | Seniors aged 65+ | Medical savings top-ups | August |
| GSTV-U-Save | HDB households | Utilities bills | Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct |
| GSTV-S&CC Rebate | HDB households | Conservancy fees | Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct |
Why the GST Voucher Scheme Exists
We’ve all heard this before — Singapore’s tax system works on a progressive model. Higher-income households pay a lot more into the system. In fact, the top 20% contribute around 80% of all income tax.
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But GST is different. Whether you’re buying kopi at a Kopitiam or groceries at FairPrice, everyone pays the same GST rate. That’s why GST can hit lower-income groups harder.
To soften that impact, the government introduced temporary GST offsets in 2007. By 2012, these became the permanent GST Voucher Scheme, ensuring that GST wouldn’t unfairly affect families already managing tight budgets.
The scheme now comes in four parts — Cash, MediSave, U-Save and S&CC rebates — each targeting specific household needs.
GSTV-Cash: Direct Support for Daily Needs
Cash is still the most immediate help, and GSTV-Cash aims to give that breathing room. Payouts land every August, usually through PayNow-NRIC.
Eligibility for GSTV-Cash (2025)
You must:
- Be a Singapore citizen, living in Singapore
- Be 21 or older
- Have Assessable Income (YA 2024) not more than $34,000
- Live in a home with Annual Value (AV) ≤ $31,000 (as of 31 Dec 2024)
- Not own more than one property
The AV thresholds have widened from 1 Jan 2025.
Here’s what it means in simple terms:
- AV < $21,000 → You get $850
- AV $21,000 to $31,000 → You get $450
This expansion means more households in heartland areas — from older flats in Ang Mo Kio to newer BTOs in Punggol — still qualify.
GSTV-MediSave: Extra Support for Seniors
Medical bills can add up, and this part of the scheme helps seniors top up their MediSave automatically in August.
Eligibility for GSTV-MediSave (2025)
You must:
- Be a Singapore citizen, staying in Singapore
- Be 65 or older in 2025
- Live in a home with AV ≤ $31,000
- Not own more than one property
Income isn’t considered here — even retired seniors with no earnings can get the top-up.
MediSave Top-Up Amounts (2025)
| Age in 2025 | AV ≤ $21,000 | AV $21,000–$31,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 65–74 | $250 | $150 |
| 75–84 | $350 | $250 |
| 85+ | $450 | $350 |
It’s straightforward and gives seniors a bit more assurance for outpatient visits and long-term care.
GSTV-U-Save: Lowering Utilities Bills for HDB Households
Electricity and water bills are part of life, and when tariffs fluctuate, every dollar counts. GSTV-U-Save provides quarterly rebates directly into your SP Services utilities account.
Who Can Get U-Save
You qualify if:
- You live in an HDB flat, and
- There is at least one Singapore citizen owner/occupier
- The household does not own more than one property
Renters of entire units also qualify if at least one tenant is a Singapore citizen.
Unused rebates roll over automatically — so if one month’s bill is lower, the balance helps cover future bills.
Extra Support in 2025
Eligible households also get one-off B2025 Cost-of-Living U-Save rebates in April and October, giving families a bit more cushion during high-expense months.
GSTV-S&CC Rebate: Reducing Monthly Conservancy Fees
Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) may not be flashy, but everyone living in HDB flats pays them. The GSTV-S&CC Rebate helps lighten this regular expense.
This rebate is paid quarterly — January, April, July and October.
Eligibility for S&CC Rebate (2025)
You must:
- Have at least one Singapore citizen owner/occupier
- Not own any private property
- Not rent out the entire flat
Households typically receive 1.5 to 3.5 months of rebates annually.
For 2025, the government added an extra 0.5-month rebate in January, announced in Budget 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is GST Voucher the same as CDC Vouchers?
No. GSTV focuses on cash, MediSave, utilities and S&CC support. CDC Vouchers are separate and used at heartland shops and hawker centres.
2. How do I check if I’m eligible?
Most Singaporeans can check via Singpass on the official GSTV portal. Look for the eligibility link when payouts approach.
3. Will the GSTV amounts change again?
Changes usually come during the Budget announcement each year. The permanent scheme remains, but payout tiers may adjust.
4. Can I update my PayNow-NRIC details?
Yes. Just ensure your NRIC is linked to your preferred bank in PayNow before August payouts.
