Assisting your loved ones

If a beneficiary is illiterate or unable to use digital services, you can accompany them to seek assistance at any ServiceSG Centre (opens in new tab), or Community Centre (CC) where staff can guide them through the process in person.  Please note that for privacy reasons, the beneficiary will need to be present, as benefits can only be accessed using their own Singpass.

Government benefit schemes such as the GST Voucher, Assurance Package, and Silver Support Scheme determine eligibility automatically. If the beneficiary qualifies, they will receive an SMS or letter informing them of their eligibility and/or payout details.

If a beneficiary forgets their Singpass password, they can reset it online (opens in new tab) via the Singpass website or app, provided they have a registered mobile number linked to their Singpass account.

Where online reset is not feasible, or where facial recognition consistently fails, you can accompany them to the nearest Singpass counter (opens in new tab)located at all Community Centres and ServiceSG Centres (opens in new tab) to reset the password.

No, government benefits can only be credited directly into a bank account that belongs to the beneficiary. This ensures that the benefits are disbursed securely to the intended recipient.

If a beneficiary does not have a bank account, their benefits will be paid via GovCash instead. GovCash can be withdrawn at any OCBC-New ATM, (opens in new tab) using their Payment Reference Number (PRN). No OCBC bank account is needed for this service.

The beneficiary must personally perform the withdrawal. If they are unable to do so due to their current medical condition, please refer to the section below on "Helping Beneficiaries Who are Unable to Transact Personally."

You can help a beneficiary with a medical condition (e.g. physically immobile or lacks mental capacity) who is unable to access his government benefits to check his eligibility, update bank account details, sign up for schemes, or submit an appeal if you are:

•         Aged 21 and above; and

•         A next-of-kin or an appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy (opens in new tab) of the beneficiary.

Please submit your request through the respective Contact Us form (opens in new tab), together with the relevant supporting documents listed below. You will need to log in using your Singpass.

a. If you are a next-of-kin or caregiver of the beneficiary, please attach the following document(s) in your request:

1. Documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The date of the document(s) should not be more than one year ago, unless it specifically states that the patient’s condition is permanent or the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. bedridden, immobile, physically incapacitated, lacks mental capacity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.); and

2. Beneficiary’s NRIC

b. If you are the appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary, please attach the following document(s) in your request:

1. Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary; and

2. Documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The date of the document(s) should not be more than one year ago, unless it specifically states that the patient’s condition is permanent or the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. bedridden, immobile, physically incapacitated, lacks mental capacity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.); and

3. Beneficiary’s NRIC

c. If you are the court-appointed Deputy, please attach the following document(s) in your request:

1. Court Order authorising you to perform financial transactions on behalf of the beneficiary; and

2. Beneficiary’s NRIC

If you are updating to a bank account held in trust for the beneficiary, please also attach the following document in your request:

1. Bank book or bank statement showing that the account is held in trust for the beneficiary

If you are updating to a personal or joint bank account in the beneficiary’s name, please refer to options a – c for the document(s) required.

You can help a beneficiary with a medical condition (e.g. physically immobile or lacks mental capacity) withdraw his GovCash if you are:

•         Aged 21 and above; and

•         A next-of-kin or an appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy (opens in new tab) of the beneficiary.

To assist with the withdrawal of the GovCash, please visit any OCBC-New ATM (opens in new tab) during branch operating hours. Please bring along the relevant documents listed below, and OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be available to assist you. Please note that you may also be required to sign a Letter of Indemnity at the bank, witnessed by the bank officer.

a. If you are a next-of-kin or caregiver of the beneficiary, please bring the following document(s):

1. Documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The date of the document(s) should not be more than one year ago, unless it specifically states that the patient’s condition is permanent or the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. bedridden, immobile, physically incapacitated, lacks mental capacity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);

2. Your original NRIC;

3. A photocopy of the beneficiary’s NRIC; and

4. Beneficiary's GovCash Payment Reference Number (PRN).

b. If you are the appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary, please bring the following document(s):

1. Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary;

2. Documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The date of the document(s) should not be more than one year ago, unless it specifically states that the patient’s condition is permanent or the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. bedridden, immobile, physically incapacitated, lacks mental capacity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);

3. Your original NRIC;

4. A photocopy of the beneficiary’s NRIC; and

5. Beneficiary's GovCash Payment Reference Number (PRN).

c. If you are the court-appointed Deputy, please bring the following document(s):

1. Court Order authorising you to perform financial transactions on behalf of the beneficiary;

2. Your original NRIC;

3. A photocopy of the beneficiary’s NRIC; and

4. Beneficiary’s GovCash Payment Reference Number (PRN).

No. Government benefit schemes are only paid to living Singapore Citizens.

If a beneficiary passes away before fully withdrawing their GovCash, any remaining balance will be credited to their CPF Ordinary Account.  The amount will form part of their CPF savings and will be distributed according to their CPF Nomination, if one was made.

Read more (opens in new tab) on how CPF savings are distributed.