Singapore—According to a
press release from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on July 1, Monday, there are around 930,000 Singaporean HDB households that will receive the next installment of the GST Voucher this month, for the specific purpose of utility rebates.
This installment is Utilities-Save (U-Save), which is just one part of the permanent GST Voucher scheme. There are three component parts in all, Cash, MediSave and U-Save.
Read related: 1.7M Singaporeans will receive S$1B in GST vouchers and MediSave top-ups
U-Save rebates are disbursed every three months, and aid HDB households with offsetting a portion of their utility bills—a move that also helps with lessening the total expenses of these households.
The total amount of U-Save rebates that qualified Singaporean households will receive this year is S$300 million. For this month, qualified households will be getting GST Voucher – USave of up to S$100. How much each household will receive depends on the kind of HDB flat they have.
- One-and-two-room HDB flats will receive a rebate of S$100 this month, for a total of S$400 for the whole year.
- Three-room HDB flats will receive a rebate of S$90 this month, for a total of S$360 for the whole year.
- Four-room HDB flats will receive a rebate of S$80 this month, for a total of S$320 for the whole year.
- Five-room HDB flats will receive a rebate of S$70 this month, for a total of S$280 for the whole year.
Executive and Multi-Generation flats will receive a rebate of S$760 this month, for a total of S$240 for the whole year.
According to the MOF announcement, households whose members own more than one property are not eligible for the GST Voucher – U-Save.
Every year the GST Voucher – U-Save gives rebates that are equal to around 3-4 months of utility bills to households living in one-and two-room flats. For those living in three-to-four room flats, they receive around 1-2 months worth of utility bills.
The statement also says, “Under the Open Electricity Market (OEM), eligible households will continue to receive U-Save rebates regardless of their electricity provider.
The permanent GST Voucher scheme was introduced by the Government in Budget 2012 to help lower- and middle-income Singaporeans offset some of their GST expenses.
The GST Voucher comprises three components – Cash, MediSave and U-Save.
GST Voucher – Cash provides lower-income Singaporeans with some cash for immediate needs, and is paid every August.
The GST Voucher – MediSave, which provides elderly Singaporeans aged 65 and above with a CPF MediSave account top-up to support their medical needs, is similarly paid every August.
Lastly, the GST Voucher – U-Save provides lower- and middle-income HDB households with a rebate to offset their utilities bills, and is paid every January, April, July, and October.
Last week, MOF announced that a total of 1.7 million Singaporeans will be receiving notices by July 5 concerning their 2019 MediSave top-ups and GST Voucher (GSTV) benefits. These benefits will be received between July and November this year. While GSTV benefits may be seen online at
www.gstvoucher.gov.sg, Singaporeans who are eligible for the benefits will also be receiving messages via text or mail telling them of these benefits.
The GST Voucher Scheme was launched in 2012 for the purpose of aiding citizens with lower or mid range incomes to offset a portion of their GST expenses.
Anyone wishing to obtain more information on the GST Voucher – U-Save may call SP Group on 6671- 7117, or email
[email protected].
Online, additional information on the GST Voucher can be found at www.gstvoucher.gov.sg, while more information on the Open Electricity Market can be found at www.openelectricitymarket.sg. / TISG
