How to maximise CDC vouchers, SG60 benefits and manage rising cost of living in 2025

In 2025, Singaporean households receive an unprecedented voucher support to help manage the rising cost of living. 

With CDC Vouchers already available, and SG60 Vouchers and Child LifeSG Credits coming soon, understanding how to maximise these benefits is crucial for Singaporeans, especially if you are a freelancer or self-employed person who faces variable income streams.

What voucher support is available in 2025

How to claim your CDC vouchers and SG60 benefits

Claiming your CDC Vouchers is straightforward and can be done entirely online. Just visit RedeemSG and log in with your Singpass to access your household’s voucher allocation.

After following the simple claiming process, you’ll receive a unique voucher link via SMS that can be accessed on any smartphone. There’s no need to download an app – simply present the QR code from your voucher link when making purchases at participating merchants.

Community Centres provide in-person support for claiming or printing vouchers for those who need assistance or don’t have a smartphone. This ensures that all residents can access their voucher benefits regardless of their digital literacy or device access.

When SG60 Vouchers launch in July, the claiming process will be similar.

To prepare, ensure your Singpass is active and your mobile number is correctly registered to receive SMS notifications.

Seniors will be able to claim their vouchers first, and again, Community Centres will provide assistance to those who need it.

Managing cost of living: Strategic voucher usage for everyone

Maximising your CDC Vouchers requires some strategic planning, particularly since they expire at the end of this year.

Start by visiting RedeemSG to locate participating hawkers and supermarkets near your home and workplace. This helps you plan your shopping routes and identify the most convenient locations for voucher redemption.

The key to getting maximum value lies in strategically timing your purchases.

Consider effectively combining your supermarket voucher usage with existing store promotions to double your savings.

Use the supermarket portion for bulk purchases of non-perishable essentials like rice, cooking oil, and toiletries, while reserving the heartland merchant portion for fresh food and daily meals.

For SG60 Vouchers, which remain valid until the end of next year, you have more flexibility for long-term planning.

This extended validity makes them perfect for seasonal expenses and allows you to coordinate usage across household members. Consider saving some vouchers for major festive periods like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Deepavali in 2026 when household expenses typically spike.

Special strategies for freelancers and self-employed persons

The variable income nature of self-employment makes strategic voucher usage particularly important.

Unlike employees with stable monthly salaries, freelancers can leverage these vouchers to create financial stability during uncertain periods.

Managing cash flow with vouchers

Creating a voucher calendar that maps your usage against expected income fluctuations can also help smooth out cash flow challenges.

If your work follows seasonal patterns, consider reserving some vouchers for typically lower-income months.

This strategic approach allows you to use vouchers for personal expenses during lean periods, preserving your cash earnings for critical business costs like equipment maintenance, fuel, or professional subscriptions.

Supporting your work with strategic voucher use

For freelancers working outside the home, heartland vouchers are particularly valuable for covering work-related meals.

Delivery riders and private hire vehicle drivers can identify CDC-accepting vendors near common work locations, reducing daily operating costs.

During expected busy work periods, use supermarket vouchers to stock up on household essentials in advance, freeing up time and mental energy to focus on earning opportunities.

Planning for CPF changes with voucher support

Platform workers born on or after 1 January 1995 face mandatory CPF contributions beginning in 2025.

These voucher schemes provide crucial support during this transition period by helping offset essential expenses as workers adjust to reduced take-home pay.

The vouchers work particularly well when combined with the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS) scheme and Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payments for eligible lower-income platform workers.

Cost of living relief: Maximising child-related benefits

Freelancers and self-employed persons with children can maximise the targeted support by coordinating Child LifeSG Credit usage with school schedules and major educational expenses.

Plan to use these credits for textbooks, uniforms, and stationery at the beginning of each school term, and for children’s developmental needs beyond necessities like enrichment programmes or educational materials.

Combining vouchers with other support measures

To maximise cost of living relief, integrate voucher usage with other available support systems.

Eligible lower-income self-employed persons should coordinate voucher timing with their WIS payments and other components of the GST Voucher scheme.

The cash saved through strategic voucher usage can then be redirected toward skills development through NTUC LearningHub programmes, building long-term earning potential.

CDC vouchers and SG60 benefits: Practical tips for maximum value

Successful voucher management requires attention to timing and organisation.

While you should claim your vouchers early, plan their usage thoughtfully rather than spending them immediately.

Remember the different expiry dates – CDC Vouchers expire in December 2025, while SG60 Vouchers remain valid through December 2026.

Consider seasonal price fluctuations when timing your voucher usage, particularly for essential items that are more expensive during specific periods. Keep your SMS voucher links easily accessible and take screenshots as a backup to avoid losing access to your vouchers.

Bookmarking the CDC Vouchers page ensures quick access to updated merchant listings and voucher information.

Planning ahead: Using vouchers to build financial resilience

For self-employed persons with inconsistent income, these vouchers represent an opportunity to strengthen overall financial health beyond immediate cost relief.

As vouchers cover essential expenses, redirect your cash savings toward building emergency funds, paying critical insurance premiums, or making voluntary CPF contributions for long-term retirement security.

Consider allocating saved cash to reduce high-interest debts, providing long-term financial benefits.

Resources for additional support

NTUC’s platform worker associations provide valuable support for eligible members navigating these benefits.

The National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), and National Taxi Association (NTA) offer guidance and assistance in maximising available support schemes.

As cost of living pressures continue in 2025, these voucher schemes will provide significant relief for all Singaporeans, with particular value for those managing variable incomes.

By planning strategically and using these benefits wisely, freelancers and self-employed persons can strengthen their financial resilience through 2025 and beyond.

Need more support managing cost of living as a freelancer or self-employed person?

Visit NTUC’s Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit for additional resources, explore skills development opportunities at NTUC LearningHub, or check your eligibility for other support schemes at SupportGoWhere.