GST Offset Package Overview

1. GST Credits
2. Senior Citizens’ Bonus
3. Utilities-Save, Service and Conservancy Charges and Rental Rebates
4. Other components of the GST Offset Package

1. GST Credits

In Budget 2007, it was announced that all adult Singaporean would get GST Credits of up to $1,250 over 4 years to help them with the impact of the GST increase. Those who earn less or live in smaller homes would get more GST Credits. Nearly three-quarters of adult Singaporeans would get $800 each. NSFs and NSmen will also get a one-off $100 GST Credits to recognize their contributions to national security. In Budget 2009, to help households cope with their cash-flow problems arising from unemployment or reduced incomes, the Government distributed additional GST Credits of up to $250 in March 2009.

The GST Credits scheme is closed.

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2. Senior Citizens’ Bonus

In Budget 2007, it was announced that lower-income elderly aged 55 and above, with an annual income of $100,000 or less, would also receive Senior Citizens' Bonus of $250 to $1,250 over 4 years. This was to help them meet living expenses out of their savings. Two-thirds of the Senior Citizens' Bonus would be given in cash and one-third credited to their Medisave Accounts. Similar to the GST Credits, the Government distributed additional Senior Citizens’ Bonus of up to $250 in Mar 2009.

The Senior Citizens’ Bonus scheme is closed.

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3. Utilities-Save, Service and Conservancy Charges and Rental Rebates

HDB households would get Utilities-Save (U-Save), Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) and rental rebates over 5 years to help them cope with higher costs of living. Those living in smaller HDB flats would get more rebates.

U-Save Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional U-Save rebates announced at National Day Rally 2008.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the U-Save rebate, household has to fulfill all the criteria below:

a) there must be at least one Singapore citizen lessee or occupier in the flat or the entire flat be sublet to at least one Singaporean tenant; and
b) the lessee(s) and essential occupier(s) or tenant(s) of fully sublet flat do not own or have any interest in a private property.

Number of months of S&CC Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional S&CC as announced in Budget 2009.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the S&CC rebate, household has to fulfill all the criteria below:

a) there must be at least one Singapore citizen lessee or occupier in the flat;
b) the lessee(s) and essential occupier(s) of the flat do not own or have any interest in a private property; and
c) the lessee(s) have not sublet the whole flat.

Number of months of Rental Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional month of Rental Rebates as announced in Budget 2009.

Eligibility Criteria

HDB households who fulfill all of the criteria below would qualify for the Rental rebates:
a) Singaporean households (i.e. at least one Singapore citizen lessee/essential occupier) who pay subsidised rent; and
b) Tenants do not infringe tenancy agreements of rental flats

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4. Other Components Of the GST Offset Package

As part of the GST Offset Package, Singaporeans would have received the following

• Top-Ups to PSEA
• Property Tax Rebate
• Assistance for Low-Income Families with Children
• Assistance for Pensioners
• Top-ups to Public Transport Fund for lower-income households
• Assistance through Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs), Self-Help Groups and VWOs for lower-income households
• Additional Subsidies for Healthcare, Education and Service and Conservancy Charges

Click here to find out more.

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