In a significant financial boost for families, more than 950,000 Singaporean households residing in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will be receiving essential U-Save and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates this coming October. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to support lower- to middle-income families amid rising costs of living.

The disbursement of these rebates is scheduled as part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme, which provides quarterly financial assistance in April, July, October, and January each year, with the latest announcement marking the third payout for the 2024 financial year, as indicated by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Eligible households will enjoy a whopping up to S$190 (approximately US$150) in U-Save rebates this month, with the exact amount depending on the type of HDB flat they occupy. Remarkably, eligible families will see a total of 2.5 times their regular U-Save, amounting to up to S$950 throughout the financial year. This substantial support is expected to alleviate utility expenses significantly, covering around eight months of electricity bills for those in 1- and 2-room flats, and about four months for families in 3- and 4-room flats.

In a pleasant twist, this announcement coincides with a decrease in household electricity and gas tariffs for the upcoming October to December period, attributed to lower energy and fuel costs. The national grid operator, SP Group, reports a reduction of 2.6% or 0.78 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity tariffs, translating to an average savings of S$3 (US$2.30) monthly for families living in four-room flats before GST. Concurrently, gas tariffs have also seen a slight decrease.

Moreover, eligible households will be granted up to a month’s worth of S&CC rebates, totaling potentially four months throughout this financial year. Families do not need to take any action to receive these benefits, as the U-Save rebates will be directly credited to their utility accounts with SP Services and the S&CC rebates into their Town Council accounts.

For any inquiries about their U-Save rebates, residents can reach out to SP Group at 6671 7117 or visit their official website. Additionally, those curious about their eligibility for S&CC rebates can conveniently check by logging into My HDBPage using their Singpass.

In summary, this proactive financial aid is a timely response to the rising cost of living, providing much-needed relief for Singaporean households as economic pressures continue to mount. With continued efforts to support families, many will undoubtedly feel the positive impact of these rebates in their daily lives.