Spend and Claim Amount of CDC Vouchers Scheme

267. Ms Mariam Jaafar: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what is the value of CDC vouchers from the 2024 tranche that have been claimed but remain unspent, broken down by (i) supermarkets and (ii) hawkers and heartland shops, respectively; and (b) whether more flexibility can be given in choosing the mix of categories for any future tranches of CDC vouchers, given the significant increase in amounts disbursed.

Response:

1. Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Mr Speaker, I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People’s Association. The CDC Vouchers Scheme aims to help Singaporeans households cope with the cost of living and support hawkers and heartland merchants.

2. In 2023, we responded to residents’ requests to further alleviate their expenses by widening the usage of CDC Vouchers to supermarkets. However, only half of the vouchers received could be used at supermarkets, and the remaining half were for use at heartland merchants.

3. Around $2.3 billion has been spent since the launch of the digital CDC Vouchers scheme in December 2021 and July 2025 – $1.26 billion at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and $1.04 billion at participating supermarkets.

4. The separate hawker and heartland merchant category and supermarket category serve to strike a balance between supporting Singaporean households with their daily expenses and supporting hawkers and heartland merchants.