Latest news with #householdsupport
Independent Singapore
07-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
S$500 in Child LifeSG Credits, Edusave, and PSEA top-ups to be disbursed from today; some Singaporeans already received credits
Photo: Depositphotos/ imtmphoto (for illustration purposes only) SINGAPORE: Over 450,000 Singapore Citizen (SC) children aged up to 12 will receive a one-off S$500 Child LifeSG Credit, while about 300,000 aged 13 to 20 will get a S$500 one-off top-up to their Edusave Account or Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) starting today, Monday (Jul 7), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said in a joint press release on Thursday (Jul 3). These are part of the household support measures announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2025 to help families with child-raising and education-related costs. This is in addition to the annual Edusave contributions provided by the government. Each year, eligible SC students receive Edusave contributions for educational purposes. Earlier this year, primary school students received S$230, while secondary school students received S$290 in their Edusave accounts. Child LifeSG Credit The Child LifeSG Credit will be disbursed from this week to SC children born between 2013 and 2024. Children born in 2025 will receive it in April 2026. The Child Development Account (CDA) trustee of each eligible child will receive the CLC automatically and can access it through the digital wallet in the LifeSG application. No application is required. CLC recipients will be notified via SMS once it has been credited to their digital wallet in the LifeSG app. The credits can be used at physical and online merchants that accept payment through PayNow UEN QR and/or NETS QR to help households with daily expenses such as groceries, pharmacy items, transport, and utilities. Edusave Account, PSEA top-ups Singaporean children born between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2012 will receive a S$500 top-up to their Edusave Account, while those born from Jan 1, 2005 to Dec 31, 2008 will get the same amount credited to their PSEA. The funds can be used to pay for approved fees and enrichment programmes, the ministries said. These top-ups will also be disbursed this July. Parents of eligible recipients will be notified via SMS. The ministries reminded parents that SMS notifications will only be sent from ' and will only contain information about the status of the top-up or disbursement. Recipients will also not be asked to reply to the message, click on links, or provide any information. Some Singaporeans online have shared that they already received the Child LifeSG Credit for one of their children while still waiting for the others. Others suggested it may be disbursed in batches. /TISG Read also: Over 950,000 eligible Singaporean households to get U-Save, S&CC rebates this July Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only) () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Millions of households urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700 to help towards costs
MILLIONS of households are being urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700. Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund. 1 The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt. As energy bills fall today, but with millions still struggling, the energy firm is urging eligible households to get in touch. Jessica Taplin, chief executive officer of the British Gas Energy Trust, which runs the fund, said: "Unlike customers who pay by direct debit, those on prepayment meters often see their debts taken immediately from any credit they add. "That means they can run out of energy more quickly, and risk slipping into a cycle of debt that's much harder to escape. "Our Individuals and Families Fund provides lifechanging grants to households facing this cycle, and we encourage anyone to check the criteria and apply.' The Individuals and Families Fund is open to British Gas customers but also those with other firms. Ordinarily, this excludes those with OVO, Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utilita and Utility Warehouse. This is because these suppliers have their own energy support funds and you can apply to them directly for help. However, if your application with one of these firms has been declined, you may then apply to the British Gas Individual and Families Fund. Eligibility and how to apply Households on a prepayment meter in England, Scotland or Wales who owe their supplier between £50 and £1,700 are eligible. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills You cannot have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years and also won't qualify if you're currently in credit. Meanwhile, you must have a household income of less than £18,723 or someone in the home must be registered disabled and receiving a disability benefit. That, or someone in your home must be receiving Carer's Allowance or you live in a household with three or more children. Crucially, you must have received help from a money advice agency or used Policy in Practice's "Better Off" calculator in the last six months. A money advice agency is a body that helps guide you on next steps to tackle troublesome debt, like National Debtline or Citizens Advice. You can't get a grant if you're looking to clear outstanding debt on a closed energy account. To find out more and apply visit - Other help you can get with energy bills If you can't get help through British Gas' Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund. The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that's been shared between councils in England. These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria. That means what you're entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you're on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash. Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting - Depending on what benefits you're on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too. .
