Government Support for Couples in Singapore (2026): Housing, Leave and Money for Your Children

If you are getting married or have just married, these are the 2026 changes most likely to affect you:

• BTO income ceiling: raised from S$14,000 to S$16,000 a month for families, from 24 August 2026.
• Extra ballot chances: first-timer families get one extra BTO ballot chance for each Singapore Citizen child, including a child on the way, from the February 2027 sales exercise.
• Shared parental leave: up to 10 weeks for parents of Singapore Citizen children born from 1 April 2026.
• New child support package: up to S$62,000 per Singapore Citizen child born from 1 April 2027, replacing the Baby Bonus.
• Saturday ROM: you can solemnise at the Registry of Marriages on Saturdays.

Rules and amounts can change, so check the official government portals before you make plans. This is general information, not financial advice.

Higher income ceilings

From 24 August 2026, the household income ceilings for new flats went up:

The new family ceiling applies to applications for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter from 24 August 2026. It also applies to CPF housing grants for resale flats. The executive condominium ceiling applies to new projects whose land tenders closed on or after that date.

Extra ballot chances for families

From the February 2027 BTO sales exercise, first-timer families get one extra ballot chance for every Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below. This includes a child you are expecting.

For example, a couple with one child and another on the way would get two extra chances on top of their usual first-timer chances.

More flats, sooner

The government has said it will build more BTO flats, including more Shorter Waiting Time flats, so couples can get their homes sooner. It has not said how many.

If you are engaged, not yet married

Engaged couples can apply for a flat together under HDB's Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme, then submit their marriage certificate by the date HDB sets. Check the current rules and housing grants on HDB's website before you apply.

From 1 April 2026, shared parental leave went up from 6 to 10 weeks for parents of Singapore Citizen children.

• How it works: the 10 weeks are split equally between both parents by default, but you can agree a different split.
• When to take it: within 12 months of your child's birth, after maternity or paternity leave is used up.
• In total: with government-paid maternity and paternity leave, parents can get up to 30 weeks of paid leave in their child's first year.
• How to apply: submit your sharing arrangement on LifeSG within four weeks of the birth.

At the National Day Rally in August 2026, the government also announced 8 to 12 days of childcare leave for each working parent, depending on how many young children they have. Details are still to come.

Until 31 March 2027

The Baby Bonus, MediSave Grant for Newborns and Large Families Scheme together give up to S$54,000 per child, depending on birth order. In 2026, every Singaporean child aged 12 and below also gets an extra S$500 in Child LifeSG Credits.

From 1 April 2027: the SG Child Support Package

Announced at the National Day Rally in August 2026, this replaces the Baby Bonus and the Large Families Scheme. Every Singapore Citizen child born from 1 April 2027 can receive up to S$62,000, whatever their birth order:

Children born before 1 April 2027 move to transition arrangements. For example, children still receiving Baby Bonus cash will have it topped up to S$10,000 if they received less.

The government has also said full-day childcare fees will fall to S$150 a month by 2030.

The government is testing a dating platform called FirstDate, run by GovTech. For now it is open only to public officers aged 21 to 45.

• You verify your identity with Singpass.
• You answer questions about your interests, habits and values.
• You get one match at a time, and both people have three days to decide whether to connect.

In a survey in October 2026, about three in ten respondents said they would be likely to use it, rising to about half of single Gen Z respondents. The government has not decided whether to open it to everyone.

• Saturday solemnisations: you can solemnise at the Registry of Marriages on Saturdays, as well as on weekdays. You can book up to six months ahead.
• Where: the Registry is at Esplanade Mall while its Canning Rise building is redeveloped. It is expected to return to Canning Rise in 2029.
• Notice of marriage: file it at least 21 days, and up to six months, before your solemnisation. It costs S$42 if at least one of you is a Singapore Citizen or PR.

See our ROM guide for the full steps.

1. If you plan to buy a flat, check your eligibility and apply for an HFE letter on HDB's website.
2. If you plan to have children, read about the new package on the government's family support pages, and talk to your employers about leave early.
3. If you are about to marry, book your ROM date early, especially for Saturdays and popular dates.

Planning a wedding as well? Aven is a free planning app for Singapore couples. You can track your budget, guests and tasks, and enquire and chat with vendors in one place.

Is there a cash grant for getting married in Singapore?

Not a general one. Most government support for couples comes through housing, leave and support for children.

When does the new BTO income ceiling apply?

To HFE letter applications from 24 August 2026.

Does the new child support package apply to my child?

The full package applies to Singapore Citizen children born from 1 April 2027. Children born earlier move to transition arrangements, so check the official details for your child.

Can I use FirstDate?

Only if you are a public officer aged 21 to 45, while it is a pilot.