Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) released an apology regarding a processing error affecting 885 children who obtained their citizenship after birth receiving between $1,000 and $3,000 more Medisave Grant for Newborns (MGN) in their Medisave Accounts than they were eligible for.
CPFB noted that these children were not citizens at birth, noting that they were either not eligible for the MGN or should have received a pro-rated amount, depending on the age when the child became a citizen, which has to be before the child turned two years old.
“Newborns who are Singapore citizens at birth are not affected,” CPFB’s statement stated, adding that it has rectified the work processes involved in the payment of MGN.
“We have also conducted a thorough review of our processes and have strengthened them to ensure accuracy in future MGN payments,” it said.
The Board said that it would be recovering the overpaid amounts, totalling about $1.7 million, from the Medisave Accounts of these children in April, noting that the parents of the affected children will be informed via mail.
It stated that affected families may contact the CPF Call Centre at 1800 227 1188 (Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 5.30 pm) if they need further clarifications.
According to the Board, as part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package, all Singapore Citizen newborns are credited with a $4,000 Medisave Grant for Newborns (MGN) in their CPF Medisave account.
It said that the grant helps parents defray their child’s healthcare expenses, such as MediShield Life premiums, recommended childhood vaccinations, hospitalisation, and approved outpatient treatments.
The MGN was introduced on 26 August 2012 and was enhanced from $3,000 to $4,000 for citizen babies born from 1 January 2015. Children who are not citizens at birth but obtained Singapore citizenship before two years old are given pro-rated amounts, based on the age when the child became a citizen.
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