Cost of Living (COL) Support Measures
B2024 Cost-of-Living (COL) Special Payment
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How will I be notified of the B2024 COL Special Payment?
You will receive a message in the inbox of your Singpass app after payment has been made in September 2024 for B2024 COL Special Payment. Please turn on your notifications for the Singpass app so that you will not miss any alerts and messages.
If you do not have the Singpass app, an SMS will be sent to your Singpass-registered mobile number.
How do I update my mobile number to receive SMS for the B2024 COL Special Payment?
To update your mobile number to receive SMS for the B2024 COL Special Payment, please log in to your Singpass account at the Singpass website.How do I download and set up my Singpass mobile app?
You can download the Singpass app at the Singpass website.
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Do I need to sign up for and/or how do I check if I have signed up for the B2024 COL Special Payment?
You will automatically receive your B2024 COL Special Payment if you are eligible. No action is required on your part.
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How will I receive my B2024 COL Special Payment?
You will receive your B2024 COL Special Payment via your PayNow-NRIC linked bank account. To check your PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account details, please approach your bank.
If you do not have a PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account with a PayNow-GIRO-participating local or foreign bank in Singapore but have provided your DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB bank account number to the Government previously, you will receive your B2024 COL Special Payment via bank transfer. You can check and update your bank account details registered with us by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass.
Otherwise, the B2024 COL Special Payment will be credited to you via GovCash. GovCash is a payment mode that allows Singaporeans to receive their benefits from Government agencies more quickly and conveniently. You are encouraged to link your NRIC to PayNow with a PayNow-GIRO-participating local or foreign bank in Singapore to receive your benefits earlier.
How can I update my mode of payment for B2024 COL Special Payment?
You are encouraged to register for PayNow-NRIC with a PayNow-GIRO-participating local or foreign bank in Singapore to receive your B2024 COL Special Payment earlier. Payment will be made by default to your PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account.
If you do not have a PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account, you can update your bank account details by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass. The Government will be validating the bank account details that you have registered. If you have closed your bank account, ceased being a joint account holder, or have provided the wrong bank account details, we will inform you to update your bank account details. You will receive a notification sent to your Singpass app. If you do not have the app, a letter will be sent to your NRIC address. This notification will not be sent via SMS, WhatsApp or any other platforms.
What is PayNow?
PayNow is a secure funds transfer service that allows customers to receive money into their bank account via NRIC/FIN and/or mobile number.
With PayNow, the recipient's bank information will be kept private. The recipient will need to provide their mobile number or NRIC/FIN to the sender to send money. Other PayNow users will not have access to your personal details unless it is provided by you. To receive government benefits via PayNow, you will need to link your NRIC to PayNow. PayNow-Mobile number is not accepted.How do I link my NRIC to PayNow?
You can register for PayNow-NRIC if you have a bank account with any of the following participating banks in Singapore:Bank Bank of China CIMB Citibank DBS Bank / POSB HSBC Bank ICBC Maybank OCBC RHB Bank Standard Chartered Bank Trust Bank UOB
You may refer to your respective bank's website for specific details on how to link your NRIC to PayNow. If you do not have internet or mobile banking, you can contact your bank directly to register for PayNow-NRIC. PayNow-Mobile number is not accepted for receiving government benefits.
If you do not have a PayNow-NRIC-linked account, and wish to receive your payment via bank crediting, you may provide your bank account details to us by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass.My mobile number is already registered to my bank account on PayNow. Can the Government credit the B2024 COL Special Payment to me via PayNow-Mobile instead of via PayNow-NRIC?
We can only credit your B2024 COL Special Payment to you via your PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account. NRIC is an unchanged proxy issued by the Government, compared to mobile numbers which may be easily changed. To ensure that the money is credited to the correct recipient's bank account, only NRIC will be accepted as the proxy for government benefits via PayNow.
Eligible Singaporeans who have linked their NRIC to PayNow with a PayNow-GIRO-participating bank will receive the payments in this bank account.What is GovCash?
GovCash is a payment mode that allows Singapore citizens to receive their benefits from Government agencies more quickly and conveniently as compared to cheques. Singaporeans can withdraw their Government benefits in cash from over 500 OCBC ATMs located across Singapore.
Previously, cheque recipients would have to deposit the cheques or encash them over the bank counters. GovCash allows them to receive their benefits at the OCBC ATM immediately at any time of the day. They are no longer restricted by the bank's operating hours. Singaporeans who prefer to seek assistance with their GovCash withdrawals can visit the ATMs located within OCBC's branches during operating hours, where OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be present to guide them. In addition, GovCash also allows recipients to use the scan-and-pay function and PayNow transfer option through the LifeSG mobile app.
For enquiries related to withdrawal of B2024 COL Special Payment via GovCash, please refer to the GovCash FAQs.Why are cheques not issued for B2024 COL Special Payment?
GovCash will replace cheques from 2022 onwards to allow Singapore citizens to receive their benefits more quickly and conveniently.
Previously, cheque recipients would have to deposit the cheques or encash them over the bank counters. GovCash allows them to receive their benefits at the OCBC ATMs islandwide immediately at any time of the day. They are no longer restricted by the OCBC bank's operating hours. Singaporeans who prefer to seek assistance with their GovCash withdrawals can visit the ATMs located within OCBC's branches during operating hours, where OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be present to guide them. In addition, GovCash also allows recipients to use the scan-and-pay function and PayNow transfer option through the LifeSG mobile app.
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Do I qualify for the B2024 COL Special Payment if my Assessable Income is unavailable, but I meet all other criteria?
We are only able to assess your eligibility for B2024 COL Special Payment once your income for Year of Assessment 2023 has been assessed by IRAS. Please call IRAS at 1800 356 8300 to file your Income Tax Return. Please be reminded all individual taxpayers are required to e-file an accurate tax return by 18 April each year unless they are under the No-filing Service.
I own more than one property, but I earn a very low income and am in financial difficulty. Can I be eligible for the B2024 COL Special Payment?
We will consider such cases on a case-by-case basis. You may log in to the e-services with your Singpass and write in to us.
If you require further assistance, you may approach any Social Service Office (SSO) within your vicinity who may be able to advise you on the available assistance based on your situation, and provide you with the necessary assistance. You may wish to visit the website to locate the nearest SSO to you.I am residing overseas. Am I eligible to receive the B2024 COL Special Payment?
The B2024 COL Special Payment is meant to provide relief to Singaporeans to address their concerns on the cost-of-living in Singapore. Therefore, you are not eligible for these benefits if you residing overseas.If the beneficiary passes away before the payment of the B2024 COL Special Payment is made, will he/she still qualify?
No. The B2024 COL Special Payment is only paid out to Singapore citizens who are alive.
B2024 Cost-of-Living (COL) Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) Rebate
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How will I know if my household qualifies for the B2024 Cost-of-Living (COL) Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) Rebate?
Eligible Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive the S&CC rebates to offset between 2 to 4 months of S&CC from April 2024 to January 2025 (depending on HDB flat type), if all the following criteria are met:
a. There must be at least one Singapore citizen flat owner or occupier in the flat;
b. The flat owner(s) and essential occupier(s) of the flat do not own or have any interest in a private property; and
c. The flat owner(s) have not rented out the whole flat
HDB Residents can check or enquire on their household's eligibility for GSTV – S&CC Rebate by logging into My HDBPage via HDB InfoWEB with their Singpass and following these steps: My Flat > Purchased Flat/Rental Flat > S&CC Rebate.How much does each HDB Household receive in dollar terms?
The amount of S&CC rebates households receive will vary, depending on the flat type and the S&CC charged by Town Councils.
Eligible Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive the following months of rebates from April 2024 to January 2025 based on their flat type:
• 1- and 2- room flats: 4 months;
• 3- and 4- room flats: 3 months;
• 5-room flats: 2.5 months;
• Executive/Multi-generation flats: 2 months;
The rebates include the additional one-off 0.5-month in January 2025, as announced at Budget 2024. Town Councils have the full discretion to determine the S&CC rates applicable for every flat, which may vary by flat type, design, and location. As different Town Councils charge different S&CC rates, the amount of S&CC rebate received by households will differ for the same flat type.Is there any action required on my part to receive the S&CC Rebate if my household is eligible?
No action is required on your part to receive the S&CC rebates. S&CC rebates will be credited directly to your household's S&CC accounts managed by your respective Town Councils.Is there any action required on my part if I have already arranged to pay my S&CC through GIRO?
If you are paying for your S&CC through GIRO, no action is required on your part as the Town Council will arrange with your bank on the amount of S&CC that your household will have to pay to the Town Council, after offsetting against the amount of S&CC Rebate you are eligible for.
If you are not paying for your S&CC through GIRO, you may wish to contact your respective Town Council regarding S&CC payment matters.Who can I contact for more information on the B2024 COL S&CC Rebate?
For S&CC Rebate eligibility matters, residents can send in their enquiry by logging into My HDBPage via HDB InfoWEB with their Singpass and following these steps: My Flat > Purchased Flat/Rental Flat > S&CC Rebate > Feedback.
For enquiries on your household’s S&CC payment or account status, residents can contact their respective Town Councils. The Town Councils’ contact information can be found on the respective Town Councils’ websites.