Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Government officials will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Ministry of Finance (MOF)
Press Releases

Over 2.4 million Singapore citizens to receive between $400 and $600 from the Enhanced Budget 2026 Cost-of-Living (COL) Special Payment in September 2026

Topics

Cost of Living

Government Transfers

13 August 2026

Adult Singapore citizens who own no more than one property and with Assessable Income for the Year of Assessment 2025 of up to $100,000 are eligible

  1. At Budget 2026 (B2026), Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong announced that the COL Special Payment of $200 to $400 will be given to eligible Singapore citizens, to help with living expenses. The Government subsequently announced in a Ministerial Statement on 7 April 2026 that the B2026 COL Special Payment will be enhanced.

  2. Over 2.4 million adult Singapore citizens, aged 21 or older in 2026, will receive between $400 and $600 in cash as part of the Enhanced B2026 COL Special Payment in September 2026. It is to help Singapore citizens with their living expenses, with more support for the lower-income. Citizens who own no more than one property and have an Assessable Income for the Year of Assessment 2025 of up to $100,000 are eligible. The Annual Value of Place of Residence will also be considered to better support those with lesser means.

Eligibility and Payment

  1. Eligible recipients of the Enhanced B2026 COL Special Payment will automatically receive their payments from 9 September 2026.

  2. Citizens may check their eligibility at the govbenefits website (govbenefits.gov.sg) by logging in with their Singpass. Citizens are encouraged to link their NRIC to PayNow by 30 August 2026 to receive their Enhanced B2026 COL Special Payment earlier, by 9 September 2026. More information on scheme benefits is in Annex A [PDF, 268.75 KB], and payment modes are in Annex B [PDF, 253.40 KB].

SMSes and Letters as Modes of Notification

  1. Eligible recipients of the Enhanced B2026 COL Special Payment will be notified via SMS before and after the benefit has been credited. Recipients without a Singpass-registered mobile number will be informed through a letter sent to their address on their Singapore Identity Card.

  2. To safeguard against scams, the SMS notification from “gov.sg” will only inform citizens of their benefit(s). Citizens will not be asked to reply to the SMS, click any links, or provide any information to the sender. Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Issued by:
Ministry of Finance
Singapore
13 August 2026


Enhanced Budget 2026 Cost-of-Living (COL) Special Payment in September 2026
Back to top