Singapore's HDB grant system can feel like alphabet soup — EHG, CHG, PHG, Step-Up. But understanding these grants is the difference between leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table and walking away with up to $230,000 in subsidies.

Here's exactly how each grant works in 2026, who qualifies, and how they stack together.

The 4 Main HDB Grants at a Glance

Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG)

The EHG is your bread-and-butter grant. It applies to both BTO and resale purchases and is entirely income-based.

Income Ceilings

• Families: Average gross monthly household income ≤ $9,000
• Singles: Average gross monthly income ≤ $4,500

How the Sliding Scale Works

The less you earn, the more you get. At the lowest income tier (≤$1,500/month), families receive the full $120,000. The grant tapers down as income rises, hitting zero at $9,001/month.

For a couple earning $6,500/month, the EHG is $40,000. At $5,500/month, it rises to $55,000. The grant steps down as income rises (the reduction per $500 band is not uniform — check the calculator for your exact tier).

What Counts as Income?

HDB looks at your average gross monthly household income over the 12 months before your application. This includes:

• Basic salary
• Allowances (fixed transport, phone, etc.)
• Bonuses (prorated monthly)
• Part-time and freelance income
• CPF contributions from employment

Overtime and variable bonuses are excluded.

CPF Housing Grant (CHG)

The CPF Housing Grant is where resale buyers get their edge. This grant is only available for resale purchases and is not income-tested.

*Singles Grant is subject to flat type restrictions: 4-room or smaller in a non-mature estate, and monthly income must not exceed $7,000.

Key Conditions

• At least one buyer must be a Singapore Citizen
• First-timer applicants only (no CHG for second-timers)
• The flat must be a resale HDB unit
• The remaining lease must cover the youngest buyer to age 95
• Private property owners: If you or your spouse owned any private property (local or overseas) in the last 30 months, you are not eligible for EHG or CHG. The 30-month period starts from the date of disposal.

Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)

The PHG rewards you for living near family. It's available only for resale purchases.

Grant Tiers

Important Details

• The parent or child you're living near must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
• The 4km radius is measured by the shortest driving distance between blocks
• You can qualify even if your parents already live in a private property
• Married couples can claim PHG based on either spouse's parents

This grant stacks with EHG and CHG, making it a powerful tool for buyers willing to stay close to family.

Step-Up Grant

The Step-Up Grant is for second-timer families upgrading from a 3-room or smaller subsidised flat to a larger unit in a non-mature estate. It provides $15,000 of assistance.

⚠️ Step-Up Grant + CPF Housing Grant = Cannot Combine If you qualify for the Step-Up Grant ($15,000), you must choose between it and the CHG ($80,000). You cannot stack both. For most families, CHG is the better choice — but if you're a second-timer upgrading from a 3-room, the Step-Up may be your only option.

Who Qualifies

• You're a second-timer, meaning you've previously bought a subsidised HDB flat
• Your current flat is 3-room or smaller
• You're purchasing a larger flat (any type)

This grant helps growing families move into more spacious homes without losing all government support.

How Grants Stack Together

This is where it gets exciting. Many grants can be combined:

Scenario: First-Timer SC+SC Couple, Resale

Scenario: First-Timer SC+SPR Couple, Resale

Scenario: Single First-Timer, BTO

Common Grant Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming you don't qualify. Many buyers overestimate the income cutoff. Check — the $9,000 ceiling covers most median-income households.

2. Forgetting the PHG. If your parents live within 4km, that's $20,000 (families) you're entitled to. Don't leave it unclaimed.

3. Not knowing your citizenship mix matters. SC+PR couples get $60,000 CHG, not $80,000. Plan accordingly.

4. Missing the income review period. Your income is averaged over the 12 months before application. A bonus-heavy month in month 13 won't hurt you — a spike in month 6 might.

Your Next Step

Before you start viewing flats, know exactly what you're entitled to:

• Check your grants now — our free HDB Grant Checker shows your total entitlement in under 2 minutes.

• Run your affordability — plug in your income, grants, and desired flat price into the full Affordability Calculator.

• Read the eligibility guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of checking your qualification for each grant.

Related Articles

• HDB Grant Eligibility Guide — step-by-step verification of your grant eligibility
• BTO vs Resale 2026 — compare grant outcomes for BTO versus resale buyers
• Apply for HDB Loan — understand how grants reduce your required loan amount

For more questions, visit the HDB Calculator FAQ.

Key Takeaways

• Maximum grant potential: SC+SC families buying resale and living with parents can stack up to $230,000 (EHG + CHG + PHG), while singles buying BTO are capped at $60,000 (EHG only).
• CHG is flat, not income-tested: SC+SC couples get a flat $80,000, SC+SPR gets $60,000, singles get $40,000 — but CHG is resale-only and first-timer-only.
• Stacking rules matter: EHG works for both BTO and resale, but CHG and PHG are resale-only — BTO buyers miss out on $80,000+ in potential grants.
• Avoid the common mistake of self-disqualifying: the EHG income ceiling is $9,000/month for families, covering most median-income households starting out.
• PHG is easily overlooked: for families, living within 4km of parents is worth $20,000, and living together is $30,000 (singles: $10,000 and $15,000) — your parents can even live in private property.

Always verify with HDB and CPF Board before making property decisions.