Exceptions Made in Disbursement of Baby Support Grant and Possible Extension Beyond September 2022 Given Continuing Low Total Fertility Rate
Prime Minister's OfficeSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the criteria for Baby Support Grant (BSG) disbursements and its possible extension beyond September 2022 due to low fertility rates. Mr Leon Perera asked about exceptions for single mothers and whether the Government would prolong the grant to support parenthood plans. Minister Indranee Rajah stated the BSG was a one-off pandemic measure for children born by 30 September 2022 and will not be extended. She noted that divorced or widowed mothers are eligible and parents continue to receive up to $18,000 in support for a firstborn child. Minister Indranee Rajah affirmed the Government’s commitment to reviewing marriage and parenthood measures to better support Singaporean families.
Transcript
63 Mr Leon Perera asked the Prime Minister (a) to date, whether any exceptions have been made in the disbursement of the Baby Support Grant (BSG), for instance giving the grant to single mothers; and (b) whether the Government is considering an extension of the BSG beyond September 2022 in view of the continuing low total fertility rate at 1.12 children per woman in 2021.
Ms Indranee Rajah (for the Prime Minister): The Baby Support Grant (BSG) was introduced for parents of all Singaporean children born from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022. Single mothers who were lawfully married to their child's father, but are divorced or widowed, are eligible for BSG. We also allowed appeals from parents whose babies were born before 1 October 2020, but whose certified Estimated Delivery Date was on or after 1 October 2020.
BSG augments existing Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) support measures for families. It was intended to be a one-off measure to signal our support for families during the pandemic and encourage couples to proceed with their parenthood plans. We have received some queries this year on BSG eligibility period. As the pandemic situation has improved, we have replied that BSG will not be extended beyond the current eligibility period.
Parents will continue to benefit from our comprehensive suite of support for M&P, which we have enhanced over the years. For instance, the Government provides parents with up to $18,000 in financial support for their firstborn, through the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, contributions to the Child Development Account (CDA), and Medisave Grant for Newborns. The Government remains committed to supporting Singaporeans who want to get married and have children and will continue to review our measures to build a Singapore that is Made for Families.