S$700 Singapore Relief 2025: Eligibility Criteria Explained

In today’s time when every country is implementing new schemes keeping in mind the financial condition of its citizens, the Singapore government has also made an important announcement with the aim of providing relief to its citizens. In the year 2025, the Singapore government is going to provide direct cash assistance of S$ 700.

This cash relief is part of the “Assurance Package (AP)”, which has been extended to mitigate the impact of the increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented in 2023 and 2024.

So the question arises that which citizens will get this payment of S$ 700, what will be the eligibility, and how will this amount be received? Let us understand the whole thing in detail in this article.

What is Assurance Package (AP) and its purpose?

Assurance Package (AP) is a major financial assistance scheme launched by the Singapore government. Its main objective is to provide relief to the middle and low-income families of the country, so that the additional expenditure on them due to the increased GST in 2023 and 2024 can be reduced.

The increase in GST may increase the prices of everyday items, which may cause difficulty especially to the middle-class and lower income groups. Therefore, the government has made arrangements for direct cash payment, tax rebate, and other financial help under this package.

This amount of S$ 700 is part of the direct assistance given under the Assurance Package, which will be transferred to the bank accounts of eligible citizens on 1 August 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for S$ 700 Cash Relief

The Singapore government has made some clear eligibility rules to ensure that the right people get help. You will get this payment only if you meet these conditions:

Must be a Singapore Citizen

You must be a legal citizen of Singapore. PR (Permanent Resident) or Work Pass holders are not eligible for this assistance.

Income (Assessable Income) should not exceed S$100,000

Your annual taxable income (Assessable Income) should be a maximum of S$100,000. This ensures that only middle and low income groups take advantage of this assistance.

Not Owning More Than One Property

If you have more than one property registered in your name, you will not be eligible for this scheme. It aims to help families who have limited means.

These three conditions will be evaluated by Singapore’s CPF Board and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) based on records already available.

That is, no one needs to apply separately. All the process will be completed automatically, so that people will not have to face any hassle.

Disbursement Date and Payment Methods

The Singapore government has already made it clear that this amount of S$ 700 will be deposited in the accounts of eligible citizens on 1 August 2025. For this, the government has prepared a modern and easy payment system:

Information via SMS or Singpass App

All the citizens who will receive this amount will be informed in advance. This information will be sent in the form of SMS or through the Singpass app.

Transfer directly from PayNow to bank account

If you have linked your NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) to PayNow, the amount will come directly to your bank account.

Other options:

For those who have not linked PayNow, there are two more options:

Direct Bank Deposit: The government will transfer the amount directly to your bank account.

GovCash Collection: You can withdraw your amount through GovCash from some banking ATMs.

This entire process has been made so simple that no citizen will need to stand in line or do paperwork.

Importance and impact of S$700 cash relief

The importance of this scheme is not limited to the cash amount only, but it also has a wide economic impact:

Relief to middle and low income group: Even in a developed country like Singapore, the economic pressure on ordinary families has increased due to rising inflation rate. That is why it can be a lifesaver to them in such kind of situation.

Strike balance between GST rises: Because of GST rates on 2023 and 2024, basic commodities have become costly. The government is interested in reducing its influence on the citizens to the minimal.

Automated process boosts trust: Since the entire eligibility and payment process is automated based on records, citizens have confidence that government schemes are fair and transparent.

Are there anything which has to be done?

Provided that you are Singapore citizen, and you match all the above-mentioned requirements, you are not required to complete any forms, as well as to make an online application.

All you should do is ensuring that:

Your PayNow is linked to your NRIC.
Your CPF and IRAS records are up to date.
If PayNow is not linked, your bank account is active or you can check out GovCash.

Conclusion

This move by the Singapore government not only strengthens the social security system, but also contributes to reducing economic inequality. You need to be a Singapore citizen, have an income of less than S$100,000 and do not own more than one property, your S$700 will be directly paid into your bank account on 1 August 2025. This will give some easing in your house hold expenditure and help to some extent to decrease the pressure of the hike in GST. In case you want to know more or have some questions, you may do this by following the updates in the Singpass apps, or checking the official websites of CPF and IRAS.

FAQs

Q1: Do Permanent Residents (PRs) or foreigners qualify for this relief?