Over $2.6 Billion In Benefits To Be Given Out To Singaporean Households In 2009

As announced in the recent Budget, the Government will double the GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus that Singaporeans will receive in 2009, in order to help households cope with their needs during the downturn. In total, Singaporean households will receive over $2.6 billion in benefits this year.

2. The additional GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus will cost the Government $580 million. Singaporeans will receive the GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus on 1 March 2009. This is on top of the GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus that will be paid out in July this year, under the GST Offset Package announced in Budget 2007.

Singaporeans who have signed up for their GST Credits in previous years will automatically receive their GST Credits for 2009

3. Eligible Singaporeans will receive letters from the CPF Board from 13 February 2009, informing them of the total amount of GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus that they stand to receive in 2009. Singaporeans who signed up for their GST Credits in 2007 or 2008 do not need to sign up to receive their 2009 payouts. They will automatically receive the following:

a. First payout of GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus - 1 Mar 2009.
b. Second payout of GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus - 1 July 2009.

4. Those who did not sign up for their GST Credits in previous years or those who newly qualify for GST Credits in 2009 can sign up for their 2009 payouts from 15 February 2009. If they sign up by 20 February 2009, they will receive the payments on the dates shown above. Otherwise, they can still receive the 2009 GST Credits as long as they sign up by the deadline of 31 December 2009. Sign-up can be done online (www.gstoffset.gov.sg) or via hardcopy forms (available at all Community Centres, Community Development Council offices and CPF Service Centres). To check on sign-up status, please visit the website above or call 1800-2222-888.

5. Singaporeans who wish to donate their payments can do so online (at the website above) from 15 February 2009, using either their SingPass or the one-time PIN (enclosed in the letter they will receive from the CPF Board).

Benefits will help households cope with the downturn

6. On top of the additional GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus, eligible Singaporean households will also receive other benefits in 2009 - including U-Save, Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) and rental rebates, property tax and personal income tax rebates, Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) including the WIS Special Payment, and top-ups to Post Secondary Education Accounts (PSEA). For more information on these benefits, please refer to Annex A.

7. Singaporeans who need additional help can approach their Community Development Councils (CDCs), Family Service Centres or grassroots leaders. Singaporeans can also call the ComCare Call helpline at 1800-2220-000 for further assistance.

8. For further information, please visit www.gstoffset.gov.sg or www.mof.gov.sg or call 1800-2222-888.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE