You might already know that there are various housing grants for couples to offset the cost of buying a new flat, be it an HDB BTO flat or HDB resale flat. But it can be confusing trying to figure out which grant you’re eligible for, with different eligibility criteria for various situations.
So here’s our quick-and-easy guide and infographic to help you make sense of grants and budget for your HDB flat. (*We’ll update the infographic with more info on the increased Family Grant soon.)
Various factors — such as household income — determine the HDB grant amount a couple can get. The key thing is that buyers of HDB resale flats are offered more grants than BTO (Build To Order) and SBF (Sale of Balance Flats) applicants.
This is because BTO and SBF flats are sold directly by HDB at a subsidised rate. (Open booking flats also fall under the same category as BTO and SBF flats.)
Now, let’s find out which HDB grants you may be eligible for.
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If you’re single, we have another article for you here: Quick Guide to BTO and Resale HDB Grants for Singles.
HDB grants for couples applying for BTO/SBF/Open Booking flats
Technically, only two grants are available for BTO/SBF/Open Booking flats: the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) and the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant. (The EHG replaced the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) in September 2019.)
The EHG is for first-timers, while the other grant is for second-timers. Specifically, the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant is reserved for those upgrading from a subsidised two-room flat or public rental flat.
So most BTO/SBF/Open Booking flat applicants would be looking at only the EHG, which is tiered according to household income. This means that lower-income households will receive a higher EHG grant.
If both applicants are first-timers
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG): up to S$80,000. To qualify, the average gross monthly household income for the 12 months prior to the flat application date must be within S$9,000.
If one applicant is a first-timer, and the other a second-timer
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Singles, EHG (Singles): up to S$40,000. To qualify, half of the average monthly household income for the 12 months prior to the flat application date must be within S$4,500. For example, a couple who earned S$56,000 in the past calendar year will not be eligible for the EHG (Singles), as the average monthly income is S$4,667.
Here’s the table showing how the EHG is tiered for couples and singles:
| Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Couples | Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Singles | ||
| Average monthly household income | Grant amount | Half of the average monthly household income | Grant amount |
| Not more than S$1,500 | S$80,000 | Not more than S$750 | S$40,000 |
| S$1,501 – S$2,000 | S$75,000 | S$751 – S$1,000 | S$37,500 |
| S$2,001 – S$2,500 | S$70,000 | S$1,001 – S$1,250 | S$35,000 |
| S$2,501 – S$3,000 | S$65,000 | S$1,251 – S$1,500 | S$32,500 |
| S$3,001 – S$3,500 | S$60,000 | S$1,501 – S$1,750 | S$30,000 |
| S$3,501 – S$4,000 | S$55,000 | S$1,751 – S$2,000 | S$27,500 |
| S$4,001 – S$4,500 | S$50,000 | S$2,001 – S$2,250 | S$25,000 |
| S$4,501 – S$5,000 | S$45,000 | S$2,251 – S$2,500 | S$22,500 |
| S$5,001 – S$5,500 | S$40,000 | S$2,501 – S$2,750 | S$20,000 |
| S$5,501 – S$6,000 | S$35,000 | S$2,751 – S$3,000 | S$17,500 |
| S$6,001 – S$6,500 | S$30,000 | S$3,001 – S$3,250 | S$15,000 |
| S$6,501 – S$7,000 | S$25,000 | S$3,251 – S$3,500 | S$12,500 |
| S$7,001 – S$7,500 | S$20,000 | S$3,501 – S$3,750 | S$10,000 |
| S$7,501 – S$8,000 | S$15,000 | S$3,751 – S$4,000 | S$7,500 |
| S$8,001 – S$8,500 | S$10,000 | S$4,001 – S$4,250 | S$5,000 |
| S$8,501 – S$9,000 | S$5,000 | S$4,251 – S$4,500 | S$2,500 |
| More than S$9,000 | NA | More than S$4,500 | NA |
Source: HDB
Income criteria for EHG:
To qualify for the EHG, at least one of the applicants must have worked continuously for 12 months prior to the flat application, and must be working at the time of the flat application.
If both applicants are second-timers
- Step-Up CPF Housing Grant: S$15,000. This is for couples living in a two-room subsidised flat in a non-mature estate or public rental flat, and wish to buy a new 3-room flat in a non-mature estate. Those living in a public rental flat buying a 2-room Flexi flat from HDB in a non-mature estate may also be eligible for the grant.
If one applicant is not a Singapore Citizen (Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme)
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Singles, EHG (Singles): up to S$40,000. To qualify, half of the average monthly household income for the 12 months prior to the flat application date must be within S$4,500. For example, a couple who earned S$56,000 in the past calendar year will be ineligible for the EHG (Singles), as the average monthly income is S$4,667.
Resale levy
Couples who buy a new HDB flat or receive a CPF Housing Grant will be required to pay resale levy (based on the size of the first HDB flat) if they plan to buy another new HDB flat or a new EC unit.
This is how the government ensures a level playing field, making sure people won’t take advantage of the property subsidies and game the housing system.
Those buying a resale flat won’t have to pay resale levy.
HDB grants for couples applying for resale flats
If both applicants are first-timers
- Family Grant: S$80,000* for four-room flats or smaller (an increase from S$50,000) and S$50,000* for five-room flats or larger (an increase from S$40,000). To qualify, your monthly household income must not be more than S$14,000 (or S$21,000 for extended family applicants).
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG): up to S$80,000. To qualify, the average gross monthly household income for the 12 months prior to the resale flat application date must be within S$9,000.
- Proximity Housing Grant (PHG): S$30,000 (if you’re going to live with your parents/children), or S$20,000 (if you’re going to live within 4km of your parents/children). Scroll down for more info on this.
This means you can get a maximum of S$190,000 HDB housing grants if you’re buying a resale flat as a first-timer.
HDB flats for sale
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One applicant is a first-timer, and the other is a second-timer
- Family Grant: up to S$25,000 for four-room flats or smaller and S$20,000 for five-room flats or larger, with monthly household income capped at S$14,000 (or S$21,000 for extended family applicants). Previously, this grant was called the Half-Housing Grant, in which the amount is half of what you would get from the Family Grant. Now this grant falls under the Family Grant.
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) for Singles: Up to S$40,000. The grant amount is based on the income, with the maximum grant amount being S$40,000. Likewise, half of the average gross monthly household income must be within S$4,500.
For applicants who have previously received a Singles Grant
- Top-Up Grant: up to the Family Grant amount you are eligible for, minus any previously received grant amounts (e.g. under the Single Singapore Citizen Applicants scheme). This is for those who have previously bought a house as a single from HDB, or the resale market and received Singles Grants, and later got married. Those who bought under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme and received Singles Grant, and their spouse (or child) received SC or SPR status at a later date may also be eligible for the Top-Up Grant.
- Proximity Housing Grant (PHG): S$30,000 (if you’re going to live with your parents/children), or S$20,000 (if you’re going to live within 4km of your parents/children). As for the proximity condition, your parents or children can either be living in public housing or private property. There’s no income ceiling for the PHG.
If both applicants are second-timers
- Step-Up CPF Housing Grant: S$15,000. This is for couples living in a two-room subsidised flat in a non-mature estate or public rental flat, and wish to buy a resale 3-room flat in a non-mature estate. Those living in a public rental flat buying a 2-room resale flat in a non-mature estate may also be eligible for the grant.
HDB flats for sale in non-mature estates
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Citizen Top-Up Grant
For Singapore Citizen/Singapore Permanent Resident (SC/SPR) households with a household member obtaining Singapore Citizenship status, they are also eligible for a Citizen Top-Up Grant of S$10,000. This household member can either be:
- The SPR spouse originally listed in the flat application gets Singapore Citizenship
- An SC child who is born to the SC applicant/owner and spouse listed in the flat application
- The SPR parent/child/sibling listed in the flat application gets Singapore Citizenship
This Citizen Top-Up Grant is akin to a reimbursement for the household. This is because SC/SPR households have to pay an extra S$10,000 when they buy a BTO flat, or get S$10,000 lower in grant amount when they buy a resale flat.
For more information about HDB resale grants, check out our detailed article: HDB Resale Grants: How much can you get?
What if one of the applicants has yet to graduate/ORD from National Service?
HDB announced that for BTO applications from May 2018 onwards, the income assessment can be deferred until key collection for full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and student applicants. One of the applications must also be aged 30 years old and below at the point of application. The deferment of income assessment for these couple applicants still qualifies them to apply for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG).
You can head over to HDB’s website for more information about the Deferred Income Assessment.
How will the HDB grants for couples be disbursed?
All grants will be credited into the CPF Ordinary Accounts (CPF OA) of eligible Singapore Citizen applicants before the resale completion. For couples, the grant amounts are split equally into the two CPF OA accounts. No cash will be disbursed.
*Given the increase in Family Grant amount announced during Budget 2023, if you submit your resale flat application from 14 February 2023 3.30 pm to 31 March 2023, you’ll receive the additional grant from HDB within three months from the date of the resale completion.
Do take note that when you sell your house, you’ll need to refund the grant amount plus accrued interest (of 2.5% per year) back to your own CPF account. This is on top of any CPF savings used to pay for your house.
The first S$60,000 of the housing grants will be credited back to your CPF OA account, while the remaining grant amount will be put into your CPF Special Account / Retirement Account and Medisave Account.
(Single and aged 35 and above? Find out what grants you may be eligible for when buying a BTO or resale HDB flat.)
What do you think about the BTO and resale HDB grants? Let us know in the comments below.
If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends How to get enough money to buy a property in Singapore and Deciding between HDB loan vs bank loan? Here’s a quick reference.
Frequently asked questions
The EHG is a housing grant that you can apply if you’re a first-timer applicant buying a BTO flat or resale flat, with a gross monthly household income of not more than S$9,000.
If you’re a first-timer getting a BTO flat, you can get up to S$80,000 HDB grant. The maximum grant amount is more than double (up to S$190,000) if you apply for a resale flat.
No, you don’t have to return it to HDB or CPF. What you need to do, though, is to refund it back to your own CPF account, plus any other CPF monies used to pay for the house and accrued interest, when you sell your house.
Looking to sell your property?
Whether your HDB apartment is reaching the end of its Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) or your condo has crossed its Seller Stamp Duty (SSD) window, it is always good to know how much you can potentially gain if you were to list and sell your property. Not only that, you’ll also need to know whether your gains would allow you to right-size to the dream home in the neighbourhood you and your family have been eyeing.
One easy way is to send us a request for a credible and trusted property consultant to reach out to you.
Alternatively, you can jump onto 99.co’s Property Value Tool to get an estimate for free.
If you’re looking for your dream home, be it as a first-time or seasoned homebuyer or seller – say, to upgrade or right-size – you will find it on Singapore’s fastest-growing property portal 99.co.
Meanwhile, if you have an interesting property-related story to share with us, drop us a message here — and we’ll review it and get back to you.
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Hi, I initially misunderstood the various grants as being equivalent to a bonus payout. But have realised it is not. Could you help me understand what the terms/conditions are to the grants? Eg Is it then an “interest free loan” that is payable when and how? Thanks.
Hi LC, a grant is not a bonus payout. It has a 2.5% accrued interest attached to it. The grant amount and the accured interest will have to be returned to your CPF account when you sell your flat (you can also pay back early to avoid incurring accrued interest). More information is available here: https://www.99.co/blog/singapore/hdb-sale-proceeds-cpf/
Hi, me n my spouse are both first timer with total household income 5800sgd. But we are planning to buy 5rooms, are we not eligible for any grants? Thank you
Hi Erfhina, depending on whether you’ll be buying BTO or resale, you’ll be eligible for EHG (both BTO and resale), Family Grant (resale) and PHG (resale, if living near/with parents) based on your income.
Hi,
Is there age limit for children in Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)?
Our children are 9 & 11 yo, which definitely stay with us. will we still be able to get the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)?
Hi, we are living in SBF p4room flat at YGW and meet MOP. We are consider to upgrade to 5room. Should we buy a new flat or resale flat as a 2nd timer. Please advise. Thanks
Does buying BTO not have any PHG? so it is just mainly EHG?
Hi Nadirah! Yes, PHG is only for resale flats.
Xin
Hi, may I know for resale flat application, when are we supposed to apply for the grant? Are we able to apply for the grant prior to OTP so that we are financially sure that we can afford it
Both me and my spouse is first time applying for Bto .infome is 8000 month.He been working 3 years continuous but on the month of the application he have a change of contract He have a job but not paid for that month..are we still eligible for the grant? Thank u
Hi, Me and my partner are planning to apply for BTO, but only one of us is a student. Will it still be possible to be eligible for the deferred income assessment?
You may still be eligible if one of you has graduated within 12 months of the BTO application date, is an NSF or has ORD-ed within 12 months of the BTO application date. You can check out HDB’s page for more info on this https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/new/finance/deferred-income-assessment
Hi, I am a first timer and thinking of applying BTO 4rm/5rm in Aug 2021. I have just started working April 2021. My husband would be a 2nd timer and had been working for 15 yrs.
My question would be
1. Can I still apply for the BTO house though I just started working.
1. Am I eligible for grants? If yes, what grants am I eligible for? Will it affect income assesments for grants?
2. Do my husband have to pay any levy? If yes, how much?
Hi i am sc but my husband is Malaysian. I plan to buy 4 room resale flat. I am the only applicant, my husband and daughters (all below 21 years old) are occupiers. May i know how much grant I am entitle? Thanks
*I already obtained the HLE
If your husband is not a PR, then you’ll be buying under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme. This means that the grants you’re eligible for are similar to what a single would get: Singles Grant and Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) for Singles. For a 4-room resale flat, the Singles Grant amount you can get is S$25,000. The EHG amount depends on your income, so the maximum account you can get is S$40,000. You can read more about it at this page https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/resale/financing/cpf-housing-grants/noncitizen-spouse-scheme
Hi,
Would like to understand what about wife waiting for PR status? Can I apply for BTO 1st then apply for grant later after she get her PR, btw I’m singaporean.
The grant is only eligible for Singaporeans, so whether your wife is a PR or not, the grant amount you can get will be the same. But you may be able to get a S$10,000 Citizen Top-Up Grant if someone in the family (your wife or child) gets Singapore citizenship. You can read more about it here https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/servicing-your-hdb-housing-loan/citizen-topup
Hi, my partner and I are planning to take up a SBO flat and will like to know it we are eligible for the staggered down payment scheme (If so, when do we have to pay the remaining 5 percent) and the PHG. Thank you.
Yes, you may be eligible for the staggered downpayment scheme if the SBF flat you’re applying is not completed yet. If you’re taking HDB loan, the first 5% is to be paid during the signing of the Agreement for Lease, while the other 10% is to be paid during the key collection. You can read more about it here: https://www.99.co/singapore/insider/bto-payment-timeline/
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/new/schemes-and-grants/staggered-downpayment-scheme
As for PHG, you won’t be eligible for it since it’s only for resale flats.