Raising three or more children is rewarding, and it is also expensive. The Large Families Scheme Singapore introduced in Budget 2025 adds extra support on top of the standard Baby Bonus for families who have a third or subsequent child. Many parents hear about it in the news but are unsure what it actually covers, how the money arrives and whether they need to do anything to receive it.
This guide explains the scheme in plain terms, with a focus on the extra layers for larger families and how each is paid out. It is general information only. Amounts, eligibility dates and payment schedules are set by the government and can change, so always confirm the current details on the official Made for Families and LifeSG websites before making financial plans.
What the Large Families Scheme Is
The Large Families Scheme (often shortened to LFS) is a package of enhanced support for Singapore Citizen children who are the third, fourth or later child in a family. It was announced at Budget 2025 and applies to eligible children born on or after the start date set out by the government. Check the official site for the exact qualifying birth date.
It sits on top of the existing Baby Bonus Scheme, which most parents already know about. The Baby Bonus Scheme includes:
- The Baby Bonus Cash Gift, paid in instalments to parents.
- The Child Development Account (CDA), a special savings account where the government matches what parents save, up to a cap, and adds a starting grant.
The LFS does not replace these. It adds more to them for third and subsequent children, and introduces new forms of support specifically for larger families.
The Main Components and How Each Is Paid Out
Based on what has been announced, the scheme has three main parts. The table below summarises them. Check the official website for the exact amounts that apply to your child.
| Component | What it is | Where the money goes | What parents usually need to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced CDA First Step Grant | A larger starting grant in the child’s CDA for third and later children | Deposited into the child’s CDA | Open the CDA through the Baby Bonus registration |
| LFS MediSave Grant | A grant to support the mother’s healthcare costs for each third and later child | Credited to the mother’s MediSave account | Usually automatic once the child is registered for Baby Bonus; confirm on the official site |
| LFS Family Support Cash | Regular cash support for the family in the child’s early years | Paid to the parents’ bank account, alongside Baby Bonus payments | Ensure bank details in the Baby Bonus application are correct and current |
Enhanced CDA First Step Grant
The CDA First Step Grant is the amount the government puts into a child’s CDA without needing the parents to save first. Under the LFS, the grant is larger for third and subsequent children. CDA funds can only be used at approved institutions for things like childcare, preschool fees, certain healthcare costs and approved assistive needs. They are not a general cash payment.
LFS MediSave Grant
This grant goes into the mother’s MediSave account, the CPF account used for approved medical expenses such as hospital bills and some insurance premiums. It recognises the healthcare costs of pregnancy and delivery for larger families. It cannot be withdrawn as cash; it is used under the usual MediSave rules.
LFS Family Support Cash
This is cash paid to the family over the child’s early years, intended to help with everyday costs. It is paid into the bank account nominated for the Baby Bonus. Because it is paid over several years, families receive it gradually rather than as one lump sum.
How Eligibility Generally Works
Parents should check the official rules carefully, but in general:
- The child must be a Singapore Citizen. If your child obtains citizenship later, ask the Baby Bonus office how the timing affects eligibility.
- The child must be the third or later child of the mother, counted according to the Baby Bonus birth-order rules. These rules have specific provisions for situations such as remarriage, adoption and children from previous relationships, so check how your family is counted.
- The birth date must fall on or after the scheme’s start date. Older siblings born earlier do not become eligible retrospectively.
- Parents must meet the general Baby Bonus conditions, such as being lawfully married to the child’s other parent where required. Unmarried parents have specific rules for different components.
Adopted children may qualify under conditions set by the scheme. Families with special circumstances, such as a stillbirth or the loss of an older child, should contact the Baby Bonus office directly to understand how birth order is counted.
Getting Registered and Receiving Payments
For most families, the LFS is handled through the normal Baby Bonus registration process. The usual steps are:
- Register the birth at the hospital or through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) process.
- Apply for the Baby Bonus using Baby Bonus Online, which is accessed through the LifeSG app or website with Singpass. Some families receive an automatic invitation after registering the birth.
- Nominate a bank account for cash payments and confirm the details are correct.
- Choose a CDA bank and a CDA trustee, who is usually a parent and who manages how CDA funds are used.
- Check your Baby Bonus dashboard after registration. It shows which payments are scheduled, what has been paid and the status of your CDA.
If your child is eligible for LFS support, the extra amounts should appear alongside the regular Baby Bonus benefits. If something seems missing, contact the Baby Bonus office through the official channel rather than third-party sites.
Planning How to Use the Support
Because the support comes in different forms, it helps to plan where each part fits in the family budget:
- CDA funds are best set aside for childcare, preschool and healthcare costs. Saving into the CDA can also unlock government matching, up to the cap that applies to your child.
- MediSave funds can help with hospital bills and approved medical expenses, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
- Family Support Cash gives flexibility for daily needs such as diapers, food, transport and enrichment.
Many parents of three or more children find that regular cash support is most useful when it is treated as part of a monthly household budget rather than spent ad hoc. Keep simple records of what each payment covers.
This is general information, not financial advice. For CPF and MediSave questions, refer to the CPF Board. For tax reliefs related to children, such as Qualifying Child Relief or Working Mother’s Child Relief, check IRAS.
Other Support Larger Families Can Look Into
The LFS is one part of a wider set of family support measures. Depending on your situation, you may also want to explore:
- Housing priority schemes for families with children. Our guide to the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme explains one option for young families waiting for a flat.
- Preschool and childcare subsidies from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
- Parental leave entitlements under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the government-paid leave schemes.
- Healthcare schemes like MediShield Life coverage for newborns and CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) for eligible households.
Larger families also have more to juggle socially, especially across different ages. If you are planning outings that suit several children at once, our guide to Children’s Day in Singapore has ideas that work for a mix of ages.
Key Points to Remember
- The Large Families Scheme adds support for third and subsequent Singapore Citizen children, on top of the Baby Bonus.
- It has three main parts: a larger CDA First Step Grant, a MediSave grant for the mother and regular Family Support Cash.
- Payments go to different places: the child’s CDA, the mother’s MediSave and the parents’ bank account.
- Registration generally happens through Baby Bonus Online on LifeSG.
- Exact amounts, start dates and eligibility rules are set by the government and may change. Always check the official Made for Families and LifeSG pages for the latest information before you plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Large Families Scheme apply to children born before the start date? No. Only children born on or after the scheme’s start date qualify, and older siblings do not become eligible retroactively. Check the official Made for Families website for the exact qualifying date, since the rules are set by the government.
Can PR parents get the Large Families Scheme for a third child? The scheme is aimed at Singapore Citizen children, so the child’s citizenship status matters more than the parents’ label. Parents who are PRs should check the Baby Bonus eligibility rules on the Made for Families site before assuming anything.
What happens if my third child was born abroad? Registration and eligibility can work differently when a birth takes place overseas, including how citizenship is registered with ICA. Contact the Baby Bonus office or check the Made for Families website to see how your situation is handled.
When will the Large Families Scheme payments show up? Payments follow the Baby Bonus schedule, which is shown on your Baby Bonus dashboard once the application is processed. Some amounts go into the CDA or MediSave, and cash goes to your nominated bank account. Timing depends on registration, so check the dashboard.
Do I pay tax on Large Families Scheme cash payments? Government cash support for families is generally treated differently from employment income, but tax treatment is set by IRAS. Check IRAS directly for how it applies to your household, and speak to a tax adviser if your finances are complicated.
Official sources: Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)