How Much Is the Baby Bonus and What Does It Include?
The complete breakdown of Singapore's Baby Bonus Scheme: cash gift, Child Development Account match, and ECDA contribution for every birth order.
Baby Bonus Cash Gift
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift is a direct cash payment from the government to parents of Singapore Citizen children. It is disbursed in instalments over 18 months after the child's birth.
| Birth Order | Cash Gift (Total) | Disbursement Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st child (SC) | S$11,000 | S$3,000 within 7 days; S$3,000 at 6 months; S$2,500 at 12 months; S$2,500 at 18 months |
| 2nd child (SC) | S$11,000 | Same schedule as 1st child |
| 3rd child (SC) | S$13,000 | S$4,000 within 7 days; S$4,000 at 6 months; S$2,500 at 12 months; S$2,500 at 18 months |
| 4th child and beyond (SC) | S$13,000 | Same schedule as 3rd child |
The cash gift is paid into the parent's designated bank account. Both parents must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents married to each other, or the child must be born to a Singapore Citizen parent. Refer to the MSF website for the full eligibility matrix.
Child Development Account (CDA) First-Dollar Match
In addition to the cash gift, the government matches every dollar you deposit into your child's CDA, up to a cap. This is a dollar-for-dollar match, meaning if you deposit S$3,000, the government adds S$3,000.
| Birth Order | CDA Government Match Cap | ECDA Contribution to CDA |
|---|---|---|
| 1st and 2nd child | Up to S$6,000 | S$0 |
| 3rd child | Up to S$9,000 | S$3,000 |
| 4th child and beyond | Up to S$15,000 | S$3,000 |
The ECDA contribution is deposited automatically for 3rd and subsequent SC children. You do not need to do anything to trigger this payment; it is credited to the CDA after the account is opened.
How the CDA Works and Where You Can Spend It
The CDA is a special savings account held at one of three participating banks: DBS, OCBC, or UOB. You choose the bank when you apply for the Baby Bonus. The funds in the CDA can be used for your child's (and siblings') approved expenses.
Approved CDA Uses
- Childcare and infant care fees at ECDA-licensed centres
- Kindergarten fees at approved kindergartens
- Special education school fees
- Medical expenses at CHAS GP clinics
- Hospital bills at MOH-approved hospitals (KKH, NUH, SGH, etc.)
- Optical and dental expenses for the child and siblings under 18
- Approved pharmacy purchases
CDA Cannot Be Used For
- Food, groceries, or formula (unless at approved pharmacy)
- Clothing or general baby products
- Non-approved enrichment classes
- Cash withdrawal
- Overseas medical expenses
Total Baby Bonus Per Child
| Component | 1st or 2nd Child | 3rd Child | 4th+ Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Gift | S$11,000 | S$13,000 | S$13,000 |
| Max CDA Match | S$6,000 | S$9,000 | S$15,000 |
| ECDA Contribution | S$0 | S$3,000 | S$3,000 |
| Maximum Total | S$17,000 | S$25,000 | S$31,000 |
To receive the maximum CDA match, you must deposit the full matching amount yourself. For a 1st or 2nd child, this means depositing S$6,000 into the CDA over time to unlock the full S$6,000 government match.
Medical disclaimer: Baby Bonus amounts are set by the Singapore government and are subject to change. Always verify current figures at go.gov.sg/babybonus or through the LifeSG app.