Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Eligibility 2026: Are You Qualified?
- The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) is the main grant for most BTO and resale buyers — up to $120,000 for families, $60,000 for singles.
- Income ceiling for the EHG is $9,000/month for families, $4,500 for singles — your EHG amount slides down as income rises.
- Your citizenship mix (SC+SC vs SC+PR vs PR+PR) is the biggest factor in EHG eligibility.
- First-timer status applies per person — one first-timer + one second-timer household gets reduced grants.
- Proximity Housing Grant ($30,000) is available when buying within 4km of parents or children.
- Always apply for all grants you qualify for — they stack and are credited directly to reduce your loan.
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) can cut your flat purchase price by up to $120,000. But knowing you might qualify for something isn't the same as knowing exactly what you'll get.
This guide walks you through a 5-step process to determine your full HDB grant entitlement for 2026, with the EHG front and centre. By the end, you'll have a clear picture — no guesswork required.
Step 1: Income Assessment
Your household income is the single biggest factor in determining grant eligibility. It directly affects your Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG) amount. This page answers who qualifies; for the figure itself, see the HDB Enhanced CPF Housing Grant amount in 2026.
EHG Income Tiers (Families)
These per-band amounts are our estimates, not an official HDB table: HDB publishes only the maximum and the income ceiling, and confirms your exact grant in your HFE letter. See our editorial policy.
| Average Monthly Household Income | EHG Amount |
|---|---|
| $1,500 or less | $120,000 |
| $1,501 – $2,000 | $115,000 |
| $2,001 – $2,500 | $110,000 |
| $2,501 – $3,000 | $105,000 |
| $3,001 – $3,500 | $100,000 |
| $3,501 – $4,000 | $95,000 |
| $4,001 – $4,500 | $90,000 |
| $4,501 – $5,000 | $85,000 |
| $5,001 – $5,500 | $80,000 |
| $5,501 – $6,000 | $75,000 |
| $6,001 – $6,500 | $70,000 |
| $6,501 – $7,000 | $65,000 |
| $7,001 – $7,500 | $60,000 |
| $7,501 – $8,000 | $55,000 |
| $8,001 – $8,500 | $50,000 |
| $8,501 – $9,000 | $45,000 |
| Above $9,000 | $0 |
EHG Income Tiers (Singles)
These per-band amounts are our estimates, not an official HDB table: HDB publishes only the maximum and the income ceiling, and confirms your exact grant in your HFE letter. See our editorial policy.
| Average Monthly Income | EHG Amount |
|---|---|
| $750 or less | $60,000 |
| $751 – $1,000 | $57,500 |
| $1,001 – $1,250 | $55,000 |
| $1,251 – $1,500 | $52,500 |
| $1,501 – $1,750 | $50,000 |
| $1,751 – $2,000 | $47,500 |
| $2,001 – $2,250 | $45,000 |
| $2,251 – $2,500 | $42,500 |
| $2,501 – $2,750 | $40,000 |
| $2,751 – $3,000 | $37,500 |
| $3,001 – $3,250 | $35,000 |
| $3,251 – $3,500 | $32,500 |
| $3,501 – $3,750 | $30,000 |
| $3,751 – $4,000 | $27,500 |
| $4,001 – $4,250 | $25,000 |
| $4,251 – $4,500 | $22,500 |
| Above $4,500 | $0 |
Note: EHG amounts step down as income rises (the decrease is $5,000 per $500 band for families, $2,500 per $250 band for singles). These per-band figures are estimates kept in sync with our calculators; HDB confirms your exact grant via the HFE letter. Once you know your grant amount, see how CPF OA funds your HDB purchase — grants flow through CPF and affect your accrued interest obligation at sale.
How HDB Calculates Your Income
HDB averages your gross monthly household income over the 12 months before application. They include:
- Basic monthly salary
- Fixed allowances (transport, meals, phone, shift)
- Employer CPF contributions (for self-employed)
- Bonuses, prorated monthly (only non-performance bonuses)
- Part-time and freelance income (averaged)
They exclude overtime pay and variable performance bonuses.
Pro tip: If you or your spouse had an unusually high month (large bonus, OT spike), wait until it falls outside the 12-month window before applying. The difference could mean $5,000–$10,000 in additional EHG.
Step 2: Citizenship Mix
Your buyer combination determines which grants you're eligible for and at what rates.
Citizenship Matrix
Which grants you can claim depends on the citizenship of both buyers. The grant that turns on it most is the CPF Housing Grant, whose 2026 amounts and eligibility are set by citizenship and flat size together.
| Buyer Combination | EHG | CPF Housing Grant | Proximity Grant | Step-Up Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC + SC | Full | Up to $80,000 | Full | Full |
| SC + SPR | Full (SC criteria) | Up to $60,000 | Full | Full |
| SC + Foreigner | Not eligible | Not eligible | Eligible (SC link) | SC portion |
| SPR + SPR | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not confirmed† | Not eligible |
| Single SC | Up to $60,000 | Up to $40,000 (resale) | Full (proximity rules) | N/A |
Compiled from HDB grant eligibility rules. See the sources block at the foot of this page for verification dates. † Whether two Singapore Permanent Residents buying together qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant is not settled by any source in our register; check directly with HDB rather than relying on this table.
Note: SC + Foreigner couples are only eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant.
What sets the CPF Housing Grant amount: flat size, not income. The figures above are the 2- to 4-room amounts. On a 5-room, 3Gen or Executive flat they drop to $50,000 (SC+SC), $40,000 (SC+SPR) and $25,000 (single SC).
Singles CHG flat-size limit: A single buyer's CPF Housing Grant is set by flat size, and there is no estate condition on it. It is $40,000 on a 2- to 4-room resale flat and $25,000 on a 5-room resale flat, which is the largest flat the grant reaches.
Singles CHG income ceiling: A single claiming the CPF Housing Grant must be at least 35 years old and have an average gross monthly household income of $7,000 or less.
Key takeaways:
- SC+SC gets the maximum. Every grant type is available at the highest tier.
- SC+SPR still gets solid support. Your CPF Housing Grant is $60,000 rather than the $80,000 an SC+SC couple gets on the same 2- to 4-room resale flat, but EHG and PHG remain untouched.
- SPR-only buyers have the narrowest options. No EHG, no CHG, limited Step-Up. The Proximity Housing Grant is the main avenue for support.
Step 3: First-Timer vs Second-Timer Status
Your status as a first-timer or second-timer affects nearly every grant.
Who Is a First-Timer?
You're a first-timer if:
- You (and your spouse, if joint) have never owned or purchased a subsidised HDB flat
- You've never taken a CPF Housing Grant
- You've never transferred ownership of an HDB flat
If you previously bought a resale flat with no CPF Housing Grant, you may still be treated as a first-timer for grant purposes in some scenarios (check with HDB).
Who Is a Second-Timer?
You become a second-timer once you've owned a subsidised flat. This changes your grant picture significantly:
| Grant | First-Timer Access | Second-Timer Access |
|---|---|---|
| EHG | Full | Not eligible |
| CPF Housing Grant | Up to $80,000 | Not eligible |
| Proximity Housing Grant | Full | Full |
| Step-Up Grant | N/A | $15,000 (next flat must be a 2- or 3-room flat) |
Compiled from HDB grant eligibility rules. See the sources block at the foot of this page for verification dates.
The big loss: second-timers cannot claim the CPF Housing Grant. That's up to $80,000 off the table.
The partial offset: the Step-Up Grant, if the flat you are buying is a 2- or 3-room flat and your household income is at or under $7,000.
Step 4: Flat Type and Location
The final two variables that affect your grant eligibility.
BTO vs Resale
Not every grant is available on both flat types.
| Grant | Available for BTO? | Available for Resale? |
|---|---|---|
| EHG | Yes | Yes |
| CPF Housing Grant | No | Yes |
| Proximity Housing Grant | No | Yes |
| Step-Up Grant | Yes | Yes |
Compiled from HDB grant eligibility rules. See the sources block at the foot of this page for verification dates.
If you're buying a BTO, your grant options are limited to EHG (and Step-Up if applicable). Resale buyers get the full grant menu.
Proximity to Parents (PHG Only)
To claim the PHG, you must be buying a resale flat. If the distance is what you are unsure about, read how to check the Proximity Housing Grant 4km rule:
The PHG amount depends on both the living arrangement and whether you are buying as a family or as a single.
| Living Arrangement | Families | Singles | Required Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living with parents/child in the same flat | $30,000 | $15,000 | Application declaration + proof of relationship |
| Living within 4km of parents/child | $20,000 | $10,000 | Application declaration + address proof |
Source: HDB / MyNiceHome — HDB grants guide. See the sources block at the foot of this page for the verification date.
HDB performs the 4km measurement itself when it assesses your HFE letter application. It does not publish which distance metric it uses on any page we can read, and third-party guides state it both ways, so treat a borderline case as a question for HDB rather than something to measure yourself. See Proximity Housing Grant 2026: amounts and the 4km rule.
Important: Your parents can live in private property — the PHG still applies. The parent only needs to be a Singapore Citizen or PR.
Step 5: Second-Timer Upgrade Grants
A second-timer family — a married couple or family that has taken one housing subsidy already — may qualify for the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant of $15,000. It is not an upgrading grant, and the direction most people assume is the wrong way round: the flat you buy must be a 2- or 3-room flat, not a larger one.
- Current flat: a 2-room Standard flat, a 2-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate, a 3-room Standard or 3-room unclassified flat in a non-mature estate, or a flat under the Public Rental Scheme.
- Next flat: a 2-room Flexi or 3-room Standard flat from HDB, or a 2- or 3-room Standard or unclassified flat on the open market. A 4-room purchase gets nothing.
- Income ceiling: average gross monthly household income must not exceed $7,000, assessed over the same 12-month employment window the grant requires.
- Resale lease: more than 20 years years remaining, and enough to cover the youngest core member to age 95.
It applies to a new flat from HDB as well as a resale flat. Every condition is set out on our Step-Up CPF Housing Grant 2026 page.
Note: the CPF Housing Grant and the EHG are both first-timer grants, so a second-timer household is not choosing between them and the Step-Up — it cannot claim them at all. The Proximity Housing Grant is the one that still stacks: HDB names it on the Step-Up page itself.
Source: HDB’s Step-Up CPF Housing Grant page. See the sources block at the foot of this page for verification dates.
Detailed Eligibility Matrix
Here's every grant cross-referenced by buyer profile:
📋 Quick-Reference Eligibility Cheat Sheet
The profiles below summarise the largest grant stack each buyer type can reach.
| Buyer Profile | Max Grant Potential | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| SC+SC First-Timer (Resale, near parents) | Up to $220,000 | Must meet EHG income ceiling ($9k) |
| SC+SPR First-Timer (Resale, near parents) | Up to $200,000 | CHG capped at $60,000 |
| Single SC First-Timer (BTO) | Up to $60,000 | EHG only. Income ceiling $4,500 |
| Second-Timer Family (Buying a 2- or 3-room Resale) | Up to $45,000 | Step-Up ($15,000) + PHG. No EHG and no CHG — both are first-timer grants |
Each total is the sum of the individual grant maximums set out earlier on this page. See the sources block at the foot of this page for verification dates.
SC+SC Family, First-Timer, Buying Resale, Near Parents
Grant by grant, this is how the stack works out for this household.
| Grant | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EHG (income-dependent) | ✅ Eligible | $45,000 – $120,000 |
| CPF Housing Grant | ✅ Eligible | $80,000 |
| Proximity Housing Grant (within 4km) | ✅ Eligible | $20,000 |
| Maximum total | Up to $220,000 |
Worked example computed from the figures in the sources block at the foot of this page, not an official HDB table.
SC+SPR Family, First-Timer, Buying Resale, Living with Parents
Grant by grant, this is how the stack changes when one buyer is a Permanent Resident.
| Grant | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EHG (income-dependent) | ✅ Eligible | $45,000 – $120,000 |
| CPF Housing Grant | ✅ Eligible | $60,000 |
| Proximity Housing Grant (live together) | ✅ Eligible | $30,000 |
| Maximum total | Up to $210,000 |
Worked example computed from the figures in the sources block at the foot of this page, not an official HDB table.
Single SC, First-Timer, Buying BTO
Grant by grant, this is how the stack works out for a single buyer taking a BTO flat. The resale route pays more, and is worked through on HDB grants for singles in 2026.
| Grant | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EHG (income-dependent) | ✅ Eligible | $22,500 – $60,000 |
| CPF Housing Grant | ❌ Not eligible | $0 |
| Proximity Housing Grant | ❌ Not eligible (BTO) | $0 |
| Maximum total | Up to $60,000 |
Worked example computed from the figures in the sources block at the foot of this page, not an official HDB table.
Real Example: $6,000/Month Couple
Let's trace through the process for a real buyer:
Profile: Lee and Tan, both SC, first-timers, combined income $6,000/month, buying a resale 4-room flat, Tan's parents live 2km away.
Step 1 — Income:
$6,000/month → EHG of approximately $75,000
Step 2 — Citizenship:
SC+SC → full CPF Housing Grant eligibility → $80,000
Step 3 — First-Timer:
Full access to all grants → no restrictions
Step 4 — Flat Type & Location:
Resale in non-mature estate, parents within 4km → PHG of $20,000
Total Grant Entitlement:
$75,000 + $80,000 + $20,000 = $175,000
If the resale flat costs $520,000, their effective price drops to $345,000 — and their monthly mortgage on a 2.6% HDB loan (25 years†, 75% LTV) would be roughly $1,175.
That's less than many couples pay in rent.
† The 25-year HDB loan tenure used in this example is carried over from the site's earlier content and could not be confirmed at a primary source: hdb.gov.sg is unreachable from our verifying network. Check the current maximum tenure with HDB.
Common Eligibility Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming You Earn Too Much
The EHG cuts off at $9,000/month for families. The median household income in Singapore is around $10,000, but there's a wide distribution. Many dual-income couples starting out fall within the EHG range. Always check — don't self-disqualify.
Mistake 2: Not Checking Proximity
If either set of parents lives within 4km of your target resale flat, you're leaving up to $20,000 (families) on the table by not claiming PHG. And if you're willing to live together, it's $30,000. Use the HDB Calculator Grant Checker to verify your PHG distance.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the 12-Month Income Window
A bonus that falls in month 9 of your 12-month lookback could reduce your EHG by a full tier. Time your application carefully or consult HDB about excluding one-off windfalls.
Mistake 4: Previous Private Property Ownership
⚠️ Crucial Update: If you or your spouse owned private property in the last 30 months, you are not eligible for the EHG or CPF Housing Grant. This includes any private residential property, whether in Singapore or overseas. The 30-month wait-out period applies from the date of disposal of the private property.
Mistake 5: Mixing Up Grant Types
The EHG applies to BTO and resale. The CPF Housing Grant is resale only. The PHG is resale only. Many BTO buyers assume they get the same grants — they don't. Each grant, and what it pays, is listed side by side in every Singapore HDB government grant amount in 2026.
Your Next Step: Verify in 2 Minutes
You've learned the rules. Now get your actual numbers:
HDB Calculator Grant Checker — plug in your income, citizenship mix, flat type, and parents' address. See your exact grant entitlement in under 2 minutes. No sign-up required.
HDB Calculator Affordability Calculator — subtract your grants from the purchase price and see your real monthly instalment.
HDB Grant Guide 2026 — detailed breakdown of every grant type, stacking rules, and maximisation strategies.
BTO vs Resale 2026 — compare grant outcomes for BTO versus resale buyers.
BTO Affordability Calculator — if you've decided on a BTO flat, run your own budget first.
For more questions, visit the HDB Calculator FAQ.
Key Takeaways
- Start with your income: the EHG is the first and most important grant to assess, estimated to decrease by $5,000 for every $500 income increase — time your application around bonus-heavy months.
- Check your citizenship mix carefully: SC+SC gets the maximum CHG ($80,000), SC+SPR gets $60,000, and SC+Foreigner couples only qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant.
- Singles face tighter limits: the CPF Housing Grant is $40,000 on a 2- to 4-room resale flat and $25,000 on a 5-room, the largest flat it reaches, and EHG is capped at $60,000. HDB puts the whole singles stack at up to $115,000 on a resale flat.
- Second-timers lose both first-timer grants — the CPF Housing Grant and the EHG — but can claim the $15,000 Step-Up Grant when the flat they are buying is a 2- or 3-room flat and household income is at or under $7,000, and the Proximity Housing Grant on top of it.
- Always verify proximity to parents: the PHG can add $10,000–$20,000 to your grant total, and it's one of the most commonly overlooked grants.
Always verify with HDB and CPF Board before making property decisions.
Sources for the figures on this page
Every figure above is taken from the source named here on the date shown. Figures marked as estimates are reconstructed, not published by the authority.
- CPF Housing Grant income ceiling, singles; Largest flat a single may claim the CPF Housing Grant on; CPF Housing Grant, two Singapore Citizens, 5-room / 3Gen / Executive resale; CPF Housing Grant, two Singapore Citizens, 2- to 4-room resale; CPF Housing Grant, SC/PR household, 5-room / 3Gen / Executive resale; CPF Housing Grant, SC/PR household, 2- to 4-room resale; CPF Housing Grant, single Singapore Citizen, 5-room / 3Gen / Executive resale; CPF Housing Grant, single Singapore Citizen, 2- to 4-room resale; Maximum housing grants, first-timer single buying resale — HDB / MyNiceHome — HDB grants guide verified 2026-06-27
- EHG income ceiling, families; EHG income ceiling, singles; EHG by income band, families; Enhanced CPF Housing Grant lowest band, families; Enhanced CPF Housing Grant maximum, families; EHG by income band, singles; Enhanced CPF Housing Grant lowest band, singles; Enhanced CPF Housing Grant maximum, singles; Proximity Housing Grant, family living within 4km; Proximity Housing Grant, single living within 4km; Proximity Housing Grant, family living with parents or child; Proximity Housing Grant, single living with parents or child — CPF Board — A guide to the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and Proximity Housing Grant verified 2026-06-27 includes estimated figures
- Step-Up CPF Housing Grant income ceiling; Continuous employment required for the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant; Age the next flat's remaining lease must cover, Step-Up eligibility; Minimum remaining lease of the next flat, Step-Up eligibility; Step-Up CPF Housing Grant, second-timer families — HDB — Step-Up CPF Housing Grant (Families) verified 2026-08-20
- Minimum age for a single to buy an HDB flat — HDB / MyNiceHome — The HDB guide for singles verified 2026-08-20
- HDB concessionary loan Loan-to-Value limit — MND & HDB — Measures to Cool the HDB Resale Market and Provide More Support for First-Time Home Buyers (19 August 2024) verified 2026-08-20