Assisting your loved ones

  1. How can I help a beneficiary who is illiterate, digitally unable or has medical condition(s) and does not have Singpass to check their eligibility for Government benefits?
    To safeguard citizens’ interests and confidentiality, beneficiaries must check their own benefits on the govbenefits website using their Singpass. Citizens who are illiterate or unable to use the website may seek assistance at any ServiceSG centres or community centres for assistance. However, if the beneficiary has a medical condition and is unable to do so, you can help them check their eligibility for Government benefits if you are:

    • aged 21 and above; and
    • a next-of-kin or appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy of the beneficiary.
    To assist the beneficiary in checking their eligibility for Government Benefits, you will need to provide the following supporting documents:

    If you are a next-of-kin or caregiver of the beneficiary, please contact us on govbenefits with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. the beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are a parent/guardian who is helping your child, please contact us on govbenefits with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. birth certificate of your child; or legal document to verify the guardianship between the legal guardian and child;
    2. documentary evidence stating your child’s medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. your child’s NRIC.
    If you are the appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary, please contact us on govbenefits with the scanned copies of 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 document(s) should be dated within the last year , unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are the court-appointed deputy, please contact us on govbenefits with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. court order authorising you to perform financial transactions on behalf of the beneficiary;
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. beneficiary’s NRIC.

  2. How can I help a beneficiary with medical condition(s) to provide/update their bank account details registered with the Government (or sign up for GST Voucher) to receive their Government benefits?
    The primary mode of payment for Government benefits is via PayNow-NRIC. For citizens who have not linked their NRICs to PayNow, they will be paid via GIRO to their bank account. Citizens can update their bank account or sign up for the GST Voucher by providing their bank account details to the Government here. Citizens will receive the benefits via GovCash if the Government has no records of their bank account details.

    If a beneficiary is unable to perform these transactions due to a medical condition, you may assist them in providing or updating their bank account details registered with the Government, if you are:
    • aged 21 and above; and
    • a next-of-kin or appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy of the beneficiary.
    Option 1: To update to a bank account held in trust for the beneficiary
    Please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):

    1. bank book/statement reflecting that the account is held in trust for the beneficiary;
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    Option 2: To update to a personal or joint bank account in the beneficiary’s name
    If you are a next-of-kin or caregiver of the beneficiary, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. the beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are a parent/guardian who is helping your child, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):

    1. birth certificate of your child or legal document to verify the guardianship between the legal guardian and child;
    2. documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. your child’s NRIC.
    If you are the appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of 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 document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are the court-appointed deputy, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. court order authorising you to perform financial transactions on behalf of the beneficiary;
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    Please note the bank account registered with the Government must include the beneficiary’s name. This is to help the Government safeguard the beneficiary’s interests. If you are unable to fulfil any of the above options, please reach out to us for further advice.

  3. How can I help a beneficiary with medical condition(s) to withdraw their GovCash?
    You can help a beneficiary with medical condition (e.g. who is physically incapacitated) withdraw their GovCash if you are:
    • aged 21 and above; and
    • a next-of-kin or appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy of the beneficiary.
    To help the beneficiary with the withdrawal of the GovCash monies, visit any OCBC-New ATM during branch operating hours, where OCBC Digital Ambassadors will be available to render assistance:

    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 document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, 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).
    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 document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, 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).
    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).
    You may be required to sign a Letter of Indemnity at the bank, witnessed by the bank officer.

  4. If the beneficiary passes away before the payment of Government benefits, will they still qualify?
    Government benefits are paid to Singapore citizens who are alive.

  5. If the beneficiary passes away after payment of Government benefits has been made to them via GovCash, what will happen to the monies in GovCash?
    If the beneficiary passes away before they fully utilise their GovCash, their remaining balance will be credited to their CPF Ordinary Account. The amount will form part of their CPF monies and will be distributed according to their CPF Nomination, if any.

  6. How can I help a beneficiary with medical condition(s) to appeal for Government benefits?
    Eligibility for Government benefits is automatically assessed. If you have verified that the beneficiary with medical condition did not receive the benefits, you may assist the beneficiary to make an appeal, if you are:
    • aged 21 and above; and
    • a next-of-kin or appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), or court-appointed Deputy of the beneficiary.
    If you are a next-of-kin or caregiver of the beneficiary, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):

    1. documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last  year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. the beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are a parent/guardian who is helping your child, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. birth certificate of your child; or legal document to verify the guardianship between the legal guardian and child;
    2. documentary evidence stating the beneficiary's medical condition (e.g. doctor's memorandum, medical report, or court order). The document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. your child’s NRIC.
    If you are the appointed donee under the Lasting Power of Attorney of the beneficiary, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of 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 document(s) should be dated within the last year, unless it specifically states that the condition is permanent or if the condition is known to be permanent (e.g. physically incapacitated, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.);
    3. your NRIC; and
    4. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are the court-appointed deputy, please reach out to us with the scanned copies of the following document(s):
    1. court order authorising you to perform financial transactions on behalf of the beneficiary;
    2. your NRIC; and
    3. beneficiary’s NRIC.
    If you are unable to fulfil any of the above options, please write in to us for further advice.