On Oct 5, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that the government will introduce a one-off additional support for newborns after receiving feedback that the pandemic has caused couples to postpone parenthood plans. More details to be ensued and announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Indranee Rajah.

On Oct 9, it was announced by Minister Indranee Rajah from the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that the Baby Support Grant aims to provide additional support in helping couples “defray child-raising costs during these extraordinary times”, as per the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It amounts to a one-off amount of $3000. However, the Baby Support Grant of S$3000 will only be given to parents of infants born from Oct 1 2020 to Sep 30 2022.

I’m a new parent and my daughter was born on Sep 8. I’m also in a WhatsApp group called Sept 2020 Mummies. On there, I have met other mummies too who had just like myself were affected by Covid-19. When the news was out that only parents with babies born from Oct 1 will be eligible to the $3000 grant, the whole group erupted with words of disappointment and frustration. Under the FAQ, the NPTD said that children born before Oct 1 can enjoy benefits under the Marriage and Parenthood package. I’m sure everyone can agree that this was nothing compared to the Baby Support Grant of $3000. Collectively, we feel that the qualifying period is unfair. Any parent with newborns born during this pandemic would have faced some sort of financial stresses and inconveniences and would certainly benefit from this additional support. Besides, Covid-19 had started since the start of 2020. Therefore, it would only be fair if the grant was offered to all parents of newborns born in 2020.

Please do sign this petition with me to get the Singapore Government to extend this grant to all parents of infants born in 2020.