Budget 2026: $500 CDC Vouchers, $500 Child LifeSG Credits & More Support For Families

From $500 Child LifeSG Credits per child to expanded childcare and student care subsidies, Budget 2026 brings practical support to ease everyday family expenses.

If you’ve ever stood in the supermarket aisle mentally adding up your grocery bill (while your child asks for yet another snack), you’ll know — raising kids isn’t cheap.

In Budget 2026, the Government introduced several measures aimed at helping families manage rising costs. These include $500 in CDC vouchers for all households, $500 in Child LifeSG Credits for every eligible child, expanded preschool and student care subsidies, and additional support for ComLink+ families. There’s also a longer-term focus on equipping students with AI skills for the future.

Here’s what parents need to know.

$500 CDC vouchers for every household

Every Singaporean household will receive $500 in CDC vouchers in January 2027.

As before:

• $250 can be used at participating supermarkets
• $250 can be spent at heartland shops and hawkers

This gives families flexibility — whether it’s offsetting grocery runs, stocking up on household essentials, or treating the kids to a weekend hawker breakfast.

$500 Child LifeSG credits per child

Singaporean families with children aged 12 and below will receive $500 in Child LifeSG credits per child in 2026. This is on top of the one-off $500 Child LifeSG credits announced in 2025.

These credits can be used for everyday expenses such as:

• Groceries
• Utilities
• Other daily essentials

When will families receive them?

• Children born between 2014 and 2025: Credits will be disbursed in July 2026
• Children born in 2026: Credits will be disbursed in April 2027

Parents can access the credits through the LifeSG app, and use them at merchants that accept PayNow or NETS QR. For households with more than one child, this offers some breathing room in monthly expenses.

Expanded childcare subsidies from 2027

Preschool fees are one of the biggest recurring expenses for young families. Starting from January 1, 2027, more parents will qualify for childcare subsidies.

• The monthly household income ceiling will increase from $12,000 to $15,000
• More than 60,000 families are expected to benefit
• Families already eligible will receive higher subsidies for infant care and childcare

This means more middle-income families can receive additional support, and those already receiving help will see further relief.

Student care fee assistance to cover more families

For parents of primary school children, student care can be essential — especially for dual-income households.

From January 1, 2027:

• The monthly household income threshold for Student Care Fee Assistance will increase from $4,500 to $6,500
• Around 13,000 children in registered centres are expected to benefit
• Adjustments will be applied automatically — no need to reapply

The Government is also reviewing the student care sector to better support families with primary school children.

ComLink+: Around $10,000 a year in support for eligible families

For families facing more significant financial challenges, ComLink+ provides structured and targeted support.

Families who partner with a family coach and work towards agreed goals can receive:

• $500 per quarter
• Additional payouts when milestones are met (such as stable employment or good preschool attendance)

Part of the support is provided in cash for immediate needs, while the rest is credited into CPF accounts to build longer-term security.

For a family with two preschool children, this can add up to around $10,000 a year.

Beyond financial aid, ComLink+ pairs each family with a dedicated coach who helps coordinate support and develop realistic action plans. These “Progress Packages” aim to recognise effort and progress, while helping families build stronger foundations over time.

Preparing students for an AI-driven future

Budget 2026 also looks ahead.

Institutes of higher learning will strengthen AI literacy, helping students learn how to use technology responsibly and effectively.

Rather than relying on shortcuts, students will be trained to:

• Understand how AI tools work
• Apply them ethically
• Focus on skills that require judgment, creativity and human insight

For example, in fields like accountancy, AI can manage repetitive data consolidation, allowing students to focus on analysis and decision-making — skills that remain distinctly human.

For parents, this signals an emphasis not just on financial support today, but on preparing children for the jobs and industries of tomorrow.

What Budget 2026 means for families

Budget 2026 combines short-term relief (through vouchers and credits) with longer-term structural support like expanded childcare subsidies and skills development.

While no single measure eliminates the cost of raising children, these initiatives are designed to ease everyday pressures and provide families with added flexibility.

For many parents, that little bit of support can go a long way — whether it’s stretching the grocery budget, easing preschool fees, or feeling reassured that their children are equipped for the future.