Singapore continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting households amid rising living costs. In 2025, the government is rolling out several initiatives to help citizens manage their grocery and daily expenses more comfortably. Among the most notable is the Grocery Benefit Scheme, which provides substantial vouchers to ease the cost of everyday essentials.
This article breaks down the full details of the Grocery Benefit Scheme in 2025, including the amounts, eligibility criteria, redemption options, and key dates to remember.
What Is the Grocery Benefit Scheme?
The Grocery Benefit Scheme primarily refers to the Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers, a program designed to help all Singaporean households with grocery and daily expenses. These vouchers can be used at a wide range of supermarkets, hawker centers, and participating heartland merchants.
In 2025, the scheme has been enhanced to distribute a total of S$800 per household in vouchers across two tranches one in May 2025 and the other in January 2026.
Breakdown of the Voucher Amounts
- May 2025 Tranche: S$500 per household
- January 2026 Tranche: S$300 per household
Each tranche is split equally between two categories of merchants:
- S$250 for use at supermarkets such as NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant, Cold Storage, Prime Supermarket, Jason’s, and U Stars.
- S$250 for use at hawker stalls and heartland merchants, supporting local food vendors and small businesses.
The vouchers for the May tranche expire on 31 December 2025, while those issued in January 2026 will be valid until 31 December 2026. This extended validity ensures recipients have sufficient time to use their benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
A standout feature of the Grocery Benefit Scheme is its broad eligibility. All Singaporean households qualify for the vouchers, regardless of income or household size. This universal eligibility reflects the government’s intent to provide cost-of-living support inclusively.
Households do not need to apply for the scheme manually. Instead, recipients will be able to claim their vouchers online through a dedicated portal or pick up physical vouchers from their local Community Centres if they do not have access to digital platforms.
How to Claim Your Grocery Vouchers
Claiming the CDC vouchers is straightforward:
- Digital Claims: Visit the official portal go.gov.sg/cdcv and log in with your SingPass account to claim the vouchers electronically.
- Physical Vouchers: For those who prefer physical copies or lack digital access, vouchers can be collected at local Community Centres upon presentation of valid identification (NRIC).
Where Can You Use These Vouchers?
The vouchers are accepted widely across Singapore. For supermarkets, popular chains such as:
- NTUC FairPrice
- Sheng Siong
- Giant
- Cold Storage
- Prime Supermarket
- Jason’s
- U Stars
are all participating outlets.
On the hawker and heartland side, vouchers support numerous local food stalls and small merchants, allowing Singaporeans to enjoy affordable meals and support community businesses simultaneously.
Additional Support: The SG60 Vouchers
Alongside the Grocery Benefit Scheme, the government is also distributing SG60 Vouchers in 2025 to commemorate Singapore’s 60th anniversary. Eligible Singaporean citizens aged 21–59 will receive S$600, while those aged 60 and above will get S$800.
These SG60 Vouchers are usable at a variety of merchants, including supermarkets, hawker centers, and service providers, further helping households with daily expenses. Detailed eligibility and redemption instructions for SG60 Vouchers will be available closer to their release, expected in mid-2025.
Why These Benefits Matter
Singapore’s Grocery Benefit Scheme is part of a larger set of government measures to counteract the impact of inflation and rising living costs. By providing direct financial assistance through vouchers, the government helps to reduce immediate financial pressure on families, especially in essential areas such as food and groceries.
Moreover, the support directed toward hawker stalls and heartland merchants helps sustain local businesses, preserving Singapore’s unique food culture and strengthening the community economy.
What to Keep in Mind
- Vouchers are non-transferable and must be used by the household claiming them.
- Unused vouchers will expire after the designated validity period.
- Households should regularly check the official CDC Vouchers website or the government portal for the latest updates.
Useful Links for Singaporeans
- Official CDC Vouchers Scheme: vouchers.cdc.gov.sg
- Claim Portal for CDC Vouchers: go.gov.sg/ cdcv
- Ministry of Finance Singapore Budget 2025: www.mof.gov.sg
- People’s Association Contact Info: www.pa.gov.sg
Final Thoughts
Singapore’s Grocery Benefit Scheme 2025 is a timely initiative aimed at cushioning households from the challenges of rising costs. By providing S$800 in vouchers to all households and additional support through SG60 Vouchers, the government ensures that every family can access essential goods and services affordably.
Citizens are encouraged to claim their vouchers early and plan their usage before expiration. This scheme not only supports individuals and families but also strengthens the resilience of local communities and merchants across the island.
