Assurance Package (AP) Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and AP MediSave
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How will I be notified of the AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave?
You will receive a message in the inbox of your Singpass app after payment has been made in December for AP Cash and in February for AP Seniors' Bonus and AP MediSave. Please turn on your notifications for the app so that you will not miss any alerts and messages.
If you do not have the Singpass app, an SMS will be sent to your Singpass-registered mobile number.
For AP MediSave, individuals aged 16 years old and below who may not have their own Singpass account will be notified via letters sent to their parent’s/guardian’s residential address.
How do I update my mobile number to receive SMS for AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave?
To update your mobile number to receive SMS for AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave, please log in to your Singpass account at the Singpass website.
For AP MediSave, eligible children without SingPass will be notified via letters sent to their parent's/guardian's residential address.How do I download and set up my Singpass mobile app ?
You can download the Singpass app at the Singpass website.
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Do I need to sign up for and/or how do I check if I have signed up for the AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave?
You will automatically receive your AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave if you are eligible. No action is required on your part.
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How will I receive my AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus?
You will receive your AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus via your PayNow-NRIC linked bank account. To check your PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account details, please approach your bank.
If you do not have a PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account with a PayNow-GIRO-participating local or foreign bank in Singapore but have previously provided your DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB bank account number to the Government previously, you will receive your AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus via bank transfer. You can check and update your bank account details registered with us by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass.
How can I update my mode of payment for AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus?
You are encouraged to register for PayNow-NRIC with a PayNow-GIRO-participating local or foreign bank in Singapore to receive your AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus benefits earlier. Payment will be made by default to your PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account.
If you do not have a PayNow-NRIC-linked bank account, you can update your bank account details by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass. The Government will be validating the bank account details that you have registered. If you have closed your bank account, ceased being a joint account holder, or have provided the wrong bank account details, we will inform you to update your bank account details. You will receive a letter sent to your NRIC address. This notification will not be sent via SMS, WhatsApp or any other platforms.
What is PayNow?
PayNow is a secure funds transfer service that allows customers to receive money into their bank account via NRIC/FIN and/or mobile number.
With PayNow, the recipient's bank information will be kept private. The recipient will need to provide their mobile number or NRIC/FIN to the sender to send money. Other PayNow users will not have access to your personal details unless it is provided by you. To receive government benefits via PayNow, you will need to link your NRIC to PayNow. PayNow-Mobile number is not accepted.
How do I link my NRIC to PayNow?
You can register for PayNow-NRIC if you have a bank account with the following participating banks:
You may refer to your respective bank's website for specific details on how to link your NRIC to PayNow. If you do not have internet or mobile banking, you can contact your bank directly to register for PayNow-NRIC. PayNow-Mobile number is not accepted for receiving Government benefits.Bank Bank of China CIMB Citibank DBS Bank / POSB HSBC Bank ICBC Maybank OCBC RHB Bank Standard Chartered Bank UOB
If you do not have a PayNow NRIC-linked account, and wish to receive your payment via bank crediting, you may provide your bank account details to us by logging in to our e-services with your Singpass.
My mobile number is already registered to my bank account on PayNow. Can the Government credit the AP Cash to me via PayNow-Mobile instead of via PayNow-NRIC?
We can only credit your AP Cash to you via PayNow-NRIC. NRIC is an unchanged proxy issued by the Government, compared to mobile numbers which may be easily changed. To ensure that the money is credited to the correct recipient's bank account, only NRIC will be accepted as the proxy for government benefits via PayNow.
Eligible Singaporeans who have linked their NRIC to PayNow with a PayNow-GIRO-participating bank will receive the benefits in this bank account.
What is GovCash?
GovCash is a payment mode that allows Singapore citizens to withdraw their Government benefits in cash from over 500 OCBC ATMs located across Singapore.
Singaporeans who prefer to seek assistance with their GovCash withdrawals can visit the ATMs located within OCBC's branches during operating hours, where OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be present to guide them. In addition, GovCash also allows recipients to use the scan-and-pay function and PayNow transfer option through the LifeSG mobile app.
For enquiries related to withdrawal of AP cash payments via GovCash, please refer to the GovCash FAQs.
Why are cheques not issued for Government cash payments?
GovCash will replace cheques from 2022 onwards to allow Singapore citizens to receive their benefits more quickly and conveniently.
Previously, cheque recipients would have to deposit the cheques or encash them over the bank counters. GovCash allows them to receive their benefits at the OCBC ATMs islandwide immediately at any time of the day. They are no longer restricted by the OCBC bank's operating hours. Singaporeans who prefer to seek assistance with their GovCash withdrawals can visit the ATMs located within OCBC's branches during operating hours, where OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be present to guide them. In addition, GovCash also allows recipients to use the scan-and-pay function and PayNow transfer option through the LifeSG mobile app.
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Do I qualify for AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus if my Assessable Income is unavailable, but I meet all other criteria?
If your AI is unavailable because you have not yet filed your income tax returns, please call IRAS at 1800 356 8300. Once your AI for YA2022 has been finalised by IRAS, we will notify you if you are eligible for the AP Cash in 2022 and 2023 AP Seniors' Bonus
One of the eligibility criteria for the 2023 AP Seniors' Bonus is that the Income Earned in 2021 (AI for the YA2022) must not exceed $34,000. Why is the AI for YA2022 (instead of YA2023) used?
For Singaporeans to receive their 2023 AP Seniors' Bonus by February 2023, we assess the eligibility based on Income Earned for 2021 (AI for YA2022) which is the latest tax assessment available.
Why is AV used instead of flat type for AP Seniors' Bonus?
AV is currently used as a proxy for wealth and family support. While it is not a perfect measure, it is currently the best available proxy to assess the financial resources available to the individual, including from immediate family members that reside with this individual.
Why is AV used for AP Seniors' Bonus but not for AP Cash?
Our social support schemes are generally means-tested to ensure support is targeted to help Singaporeans with greater needs. For AP Seniors' Bonus, the approach of using both AV and AI is to enable us to better target the support to those who are in need of greater help.
For AP Cash, the benefits are meant for all adult Singaporeans to cushion the impact of the GST increase. Lower-income Singaporeans and those who do not own more than one property will receive higher cash benefits.
Do I qualify for the AP Seniors' Bonus if the AV of my residence is unavailable, but I meet all other criteria?
The AV is based on IRAS’ property tax assessment. If you have not received your property tax notification for 2022, the AV of your residence may not have been available at the point of determining the allotment for the 2023 AP Seniors' Bonus.
You may contact us at 1800 2222 888 or log in to the e-services with your Singpass to update us when the AV of your residence is available.
Will the 2023 increase in Annual Value (AV) impact my eligibility for the schemes?
The disbursement of social support schemes will not be affected by the revision of AVs in 2023 as AVs as of 2022 will be used to determine scheme eligibility in 2023. The Government will continue to review our social support schemes to ensure that Singaporeans in need of support receive it.
How much will I get if I stay in a rented property?
The amount of AP Seniors' Bonus you get depends on the AV of your place of residence as stated on your NRIC as at 31 July 2022, regardless of whether you own or rent the property.
There is no AV criteria for AP Cash.
If I own several properties, which AV will be used?
Those who own more than one property will be eligible for AP Cash but not the AP Seniors' Bonus. Such properties may include shophouses, private residential properties or non-residential properties such as commercial or industrial properties.
I am residing overseas. Am I eligible for AP Cash, AP Seniors' Bonus and/or AP MediSave?
The AP benefits and/or AP Seniors' Bonus are meant to cushion the impact of the GST rate increase for Singaporeans residing in Singapore. Therefore, you are not eligible for these benefits if you are residing overseas.
If the beneficiary passes away before the payment of the AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus is made , will he/she still qualify?
No. The AP Cash and/or AP Seniors' Bonus is only paid out to Singapore citizens who are alive.
How does the Government protect and use my personal information? Is the Government bound by Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)?
There are strict policies, processes, and safeguards to ensure the proper use and protection of personal data within the Government. While the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) does not apply to government agencies, Government's data protection standards are aligned with, if not more stringent than, the requirements of the PDPA. The Government also requires the same high standards in third parties’ handling of Government benefits data to prevent inadvertent disclosure of citizens’ details.
The Government is committed in ensuring that the citizens’ data are protected, while using the data to continuously understand members’ needs to refine and develop better policies and services. You may refer to our privacy statement for more details.
Why does the Government refer my case to another organisation?
The Government is committed to providing the best possible assistance to those in need. To make sure you get the right kind of support, we will look at your situation and assess whether there are other organisation(s) with more appropriate assistance tailored to your needs. If the situation warrants, we will refer your case to our partner organisation(s) that have the right assistance programme(s) and expertise to better assist you. Please inform us explicitly if you do not want us to refer your case to our partner organisation(s).
The Government is committed in ensuring your data is protected. You may refer to our privacy statement for more details.