Baby Bonus Singapore 2026: Complete Guide to Cash Gift & CDA
The Baby Bonus in Singapore 2026 provides a Cash Gift of $11,000 for the 1st and 2nd child, and $13,000 for the 3rd child onwards. Additionally, the government matches your savings in the Child Development Account (CDA) dollar-for-dollar, up to $6,000 for the 1st/2nd child, $12,000 for the 3rd/4th child, and $18,000 for the 5th child onwards. In total, you can receive up to $24,000-$31,000+ per child in government support.
Baby Bonus Overview 2026
The Baby Bonus Scheme is Singapore's flagship parenthood support programme, designed to help families with the costs of raising children. It consists of two main components:
- Baby Bonus Cash Gift - Direct cash payments to parents
- Child Development Account (CDA) - Government co-savings with dollar-for-dollar matching
Together, these can provide up to $24,000 to $31,000+ per child in government support, depending on birth order.
Baby Bonus Cash Gift Amounts 2026
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift is paid directly to parents in 5 instalments over 18 months:
| Birth Order | Cash Gift Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Child | $11,000 |
| 2nd Child | $11,000 |
| 3rd Child | $13,000 |
| 4th Child | $13,000 |
| 5th Child & beyond | $13,000 |
Payment Schedule
The Cash Gift is paid in 5 instalments:
- At birth: $3,000
- 6 months: $1,500 (1st/2nd) or $2,000 (3rd+)
- 12 months: $1,500 (1st/2nd) or $2,000 (3rd+)
- 15 months: $2,500
- 18 months: $2,500 (1st/2nd) or $3,500 (3rd+)
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Claim Free Gift →Child Development Account (CDA) Matching
The CDA is where the Baby Bonus gets even better! The government will match every dollar you save in your child's CDA, up to a cap based on birth order:
| Birth Order | CDA First Step Grant | Government Matching Cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Child | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2nd Child | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 3rd Child | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| 4th Child | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| 5th Child & beyond | $5,000 | $18,000 |
CDA First Step Grant
This is $5,000 automatically deposited into your child's CDA when you open the account - no action needed from you!
How CDA Matching Works
You deposit $6,000 into CDA → Government matches $6,000
Result: $12,000 in your child's CDA (plus the $5,000 First Step Grant = $17,000 total!)
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Baby Bonus, you must meet these criteria:
Child Requirements
- Child must be a Singapore Citizen at time of Baby Bonus application
- Application must be made within 12 months of birth
Parent Requirements
- Parents must be lawfully married, OR
- Child born within 12 months before marriage registration date, OR
- Child born within 12 months after divorce/annulment
Special Cases
- Adopted children: Eligible if legally adopted and child is Singapore Citizen
- Single parents: May be eligible under certain circumstances - check with MSF
- Same-sex couples: Not currently eligible under Singapore law
How to Apply for Baby Bonus
The application process is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Register Your Child's Birth
This must be done within 42 days of birth at:
- The hospital where your child was born
- ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority)
- Online via LifeSG app
Step 2: Apply for Baby Bonus
Apply online through:
- LifeSG app (recommended - fastest)
- Baby Bonus Online (babybonus.msf.gov.sg)
Step 3: Open a CDA Account
Choose one of these participating banks:
- DBS/POSB
- OCBC
- UOB
Step 4: Start Saving
Deposit money into the CDA to receive government matching. You can transfer from your own bank account or set up a standing instruction.
Documents Needed
- Child's birth certificate
- Parents' NRICs
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account details for Cash Gift payment
What Can the CDA Be Used For?
The CDA can only be used at approved institutions for specific purposes:
✅ Approved Uses
- Childcare centres (licensed by ECDA)
- Kindergartens (registered with MOE)
- Special education schools
- Healthcare expenses at hospitals and clinics
- Optical shops (spectacles, contact lenses)
- Pharmacies
- Assistive devices (hearing aids, wheelchairs)
- Healthcare insurance premiums (MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans)
❌ Cannot Be Used For
- International schools
- Private tuition
- Toys or general shopping
- Cash withdrawal
CDA Validity
The CDA remains open until your child turns 12 years old. Any unused balance is then transferred to their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) for future education expenses.
CDA Bank Comparison 2026
All three banks offer similar features, but here are some differences:
| Feature | DBS/POSB | OCBC | UOB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate | 2% p.a. | 2% p.a. | 2% p.a. |
| Online Banking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NETS Payment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ATM Network | Largest | Good | Good |
Recommendation: Choose the bank you already use for convenience. All three offer the same 2% interest rate (set by the government) and similar features.
Tips to Maximise Your Baby Bonus Benefits
1. Maximise CDA Matching Early
Deposit the full matching amount as early as possible to earn 2% interest on a larger balance. For a 1st child, deposit $6,000 to get the full $6,000 government match.
2. Use CDA for Healthcare First
Hospital bills for your child (vaccinations, check-ups, illnesses) can be paid with CDA. This frees up cash for other expenses.
3. Pay Childcare/Kindergarten Fees
If you're using a licensed childcare or registered kindergarten, pay fees directly from CDA.
4. Don't Let It Expire
The CDA closes at age 12. Plan your spending so you use the full balance before then.
5. Combine with Other Grants
Don't forget about other government support:
- Medisave Grant for Newborns ($4,000)
- Working Mother's Child Relief (tax relief)
- Parenthood Tax Rebate ($5,000-$20,000)
- Grandparent Caregiver Relief
Other Government Grants for Parents
Baby Bonus is just one of many support schemes. Here's a quick overview:
Medisave Grant for Newborns
$4,000 automatically deposited into your child's Medisave account at birth.
Parenthood Tax Rebate (PTR)
- 1st child: $5,000
- 2nd child: $10,000
- 3rd child onwards: $20,000
Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR)
Tax relief based on a percentage of your income (15% for 1st child, 20% for 2nd, 25% for 3rd+).
Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML)
16 weeks of paid maternity leave for eligible mothers.
Paternity Leave
2 weeks of government-paid paternity leave for fathers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Baby Bonus in Singapore 2026?
In 2026, the Baby Bonus Cash Gift is $11,000 for the 1st and 2nd child, and $13,000 for the 3rd child and beyond. Additionally, the government provides CDA matching of up to $6,000 for the 1st and 2nd child, $12,000 for the 3rd and 4th child, and $18,000 for the 5th child and beyond. You also receive a $5,000 CDA First Step Grant automatically.
Who is eligible for Baby Bonus in Singapore?
To be eligible for Baby Bonus, your child must be a Singapore Citizen at the time of application, and the parents must be lawfully married (or the child is born within 12 months before or after the marriage registration date, or within 12 months of a divorce). The application must be made within 12 months of your child's birth.
How do I apply for Baby Bonus?
You can apply for Baby Bonus online through the LifeSG app or website within 12 months of your child's birth. You'll need to register your child's birth first, then apply for Baby Bonus and open a CDA account with a participating bank (DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB).
What is the Child Development Account (CDA)?
The CDA is a special savings account for your child where the government matches your savings dollar-for-dollar up to a cap. The CDA can be used to pay for approved childcare, kindergarten, healthcare, and educational expenses at approved institutions.
What can I use the CDA for?
The CDA can be used for childcare and kindergarten fees, medical expenses at hospitals and clinics, optical expenses (glasses), pharmacy purchases, healthcare insurance premiums, and assistive devices. It cannot be used for international schools, private tuition, or general shopping.
When does the CDA expire?
The CDA remains open until your child turns 12 years old. Any unused balance is then automatically transferred to their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA), which can be used for polytechnic, ITE, or university education expenses.
Can single parents get Baby Bonus?
Single parents may be eligible for Baby Bonus under certain circumstances. It's best to check with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) directly for your specific situation, as eligibility depends on factors like the circumstances of the child's birth.
What's the total Baby Bonus amount for a first child?
For a first child in 2026, you can receive: $11,000 Cash Gift + $5,000 CDA First Step Grant + up to $6,000 CDA matching (if you save $6,000) = up to $22,000 in total government support.