800,000 HDB households to receive $45m worth of GST vouchers in April

SINGAPORE - About 800,000 Singaporean HDB households will receive $45 million worth of GST Voucher - Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebates in April 2014.

The GST Voucher - U-Save is the household component of the permanent GST Voucher scheme. It provides a direct offset on utilities expenses for households, and is paid out four times a year.

In Budget 2014, a one-off GST Voucher - U-Save Special Payment was announced, with larger rebates for smaller flats. This Special Payment will be given out in Jul 2014 and Jan 2015, on top of the regular GST Voucher - U-Save rebates.

In April 2014, eligible Singaporean households will each receive a GST Voucher - U-Save of up to $65, depending on their HDB flat type.

Those living in 1- to 2-room HDB flats can offset about three to four months of utilities bills on average with their regular GST Voucher - U-Save, while those living in 3- to 4-room HDB flats can offset up to two months of utilities bills on average.

In addition, the GST Voucher - U-Save Special Payment announced in Budget 2014 can on average offset another about three to four months of utilities bills for those living in 1- and 2-room flats, and about one month of utilities bills for those living in 3- to 4-room flats.

For more information on the GST Voucher, you can call SP Services at 6671 7117, or email spservices@singaporepower.com.sg. More information on the GST Voucher can also be found at www.gstvoucher.gov.sg.

spanaech@sph.com.sg