NTUC has announced a $1.2 million initiative to provide targeted financial relief to lower-income union members struggling with rising daily expenses.
The NTUC Care (U Stretch) Programme, launched on 30 July 2025, will distribute digital vouchers worth up to $120 to eligible members through a new partnership with Singapore’s RedeemSG platform.
To qualify for the programme, applicants must be NTUC members for at least six continuous months with no outstanding membership fees.
Income requirements vary by household situation:
Voucher amounts depend on family size:
The programme marks NTUC’s first collaboration with RedeemSG, a digital voucher system developed by Open Government Products. This partnership enables vouchers to be issued and redeemed digitally, offering union members a seamless redemption experience.
The e-vouchers come in denominations of $1, $2, $5 and $10, allowing flexible use across different purchases. They remain valid until 31 December 2025.
Union members can redeem their e-vouchers at participating merchants including:
The initiative comes as Singapore faces economic headwinds, with the 2025 GDP projected to grow just 0-2 per cent, largely due to US tariff impacts on trade. While headline inflation has dipped below 1 per cent, everyday expenses like food, utilities, petrol and rent remain high for lower-income families.
“As a union, we understand the cost pressures working families face. The NTUC Care (U Stretch) Programme provides timely relief and tangible support by helping our union members stretch their household budgets further,” said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the NTUC Care Division Melvin Yong.
“It is a clear reflection of NTUC’s commitment to walk alongside our members, not just at the workplace, but in their everyday lives.”
Applications open on 30 July 2025 at 12pm and close on 3 September 2025 at 4pm. Members can apply online and find full eligibility details and application instructions.
The programme builds on NTUC’s ongoing efforts through the NTUC-U Care Fund, which has disbursed $136 million since 2009 to support lower-income union members and their families during economic challenges.
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