Singapore hubs

Marcus Yeo

Streamer

SingaporeEnglish (English)$ SGD

Marcus is a full-time content creator and streamer living in a HDB flat, balancing the gig economy with the need for stable digital infrastructure and personal financial planning. This hub covers the essential national schemes, grants, and portals he needs to navigate life as a self-employed professional in Singapore.

Leveling up my content business

Essential grants and resources to scale my streaming setup and professionalize my freelance income.

Self-Employed Person (SEP) Training Support Scheme

national · SkillsFuture Singapore

Who qualifies
Singaporeans who are self-employed and earning income from freelance work.
What you get
Subsidies for training courses to improve digital marketing or video production skills.
What it actually costs you
Requires SingPass login and course enrollment; subsidy is applied at point of payment.
Common gotcha
You must be a registered SEP; ensure your income declaration is up to date.

SMEs Go Digital

national · Infocomm Media Development Authority

Who qualifies
Freelancers registered as sole proprietors with a UEN.
What you get
Grants for adopting pre-approved digital solutions like accounting software or cloud storage.
What it actually costs you
Requires a valid UEN and ACRA registration.
Common gotcha
Only applies to pre-approved vendors; check the list before buying software.

National Arts Council Capability Development Grant

national · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Freelance creators working in digital media and performing arts.
What you get
Funding for professional development, workshops, or specialized equipment.
What it actually costs you
Detailed project proposal and budget breakdown required.
Common gotcha
High competition; applications must be submitted months in advance.

Hawker/Market Stall Digitalisation Initiative

national · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
Small business owners using SGQR codes.
What you get
Cash incentives for adopting e-payments.
What it actually costs you
Requires active transaction history.
Common gotcha
Not for personal accounts; must be a business-registered QR.

Startup SG Founder

national · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
First-time entrepreneurs with a scalable business idea.
What you get
Mentorship and a startup capital grant of up to $50,000.
What it actually costs you
Requires a strong business plan and commitment to the mentorship program.
Common gotcha
Very rigorous selection process; not for casual side-hustles.

Media Talent Progression Programme

national · IMDA

Who qualifies
Media freelancers looking to upskill in high-end production.
What you get
Funding for advanced training and attachment opportunities.
What it actually costs you
Application through IMDA portal with portfolio submission.
Common gotcha
Must be a Singaporean or PR.

Keeping my finances in check

Managing taxes, CPF contributions, and insurance as a freelancer.

MediSave Voluntary Contributions

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
Self-employed persons with net trade income.
What you get
Tax relief and healthcare savings for future medical bills.
What it actually costs you
Percentage of net trade income; mandatory for those earning above a threshold.
Common gotcha
Don't ignore the annual Notice of Assessment from IRAS.

IRAS Tax Filing for Sole Proprietors

national · IRAS

Who qualifies
All freelancers earning income.
What you get
Official tax assessment and compliance.
What it actually costs you
Annual filing in April; keep all expense receipts.
Common gotcha
Failing to declare income leads to heavy penalties.

CareShield Life

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All Singapore citizens and PRs.
What you get
Long-term care insurance for severe disability.
What it actually costs you
Annual premiums deducted from MediSave.
Common gotcha
It is mandatory; you cannot opt out.

MediShield Life

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
All citizens and PRs.
What you get
Coverage for large hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments.
What it actually costs you
Premiums payable via MediSave.
Common gotcha
It is a basic plan; consider Integrated Shield Plans for more coverage.

Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)

national · Ministry of Finance

Who qualifies
Anyone aged 18 and above.
What you get
Tax-deferred savings for retirement.
What it actually costs you
Voluntary contributions; early withdrawal penalties apply.
Common gotcha
Not a bank account; money is invested.

Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA)

national · Ministry of Manpower

Who qualifies
Employees and certain classes of workers.
What you get
Compensation for work-related injuries.
What it actually costs you
Requires medical reports and proof of employment.
Common gotcha
Freelancers often aren't covered unless they purchase personal accident insurance.

Living in the heartlands

Managing my HDB flat and daily cost of living.

HDB Concessionary Loan

national · HDB

Who qualifies
Singaporean citizens buying HDB flats.
What you get
Lower interest rates compared to bank loans.
What it actually costs you
Requires HLE (HDB Loan Eligibility) letter.
Common gotcha
You must meet the income ceiling for certain grants.

GST Voucher Scheme

national · Ministry of Finance

Who qualifies
Singaporeans residing in HDBs with lower income.
What you get
Cash payouts and U-Save rebates for utilities.
What it actually costs you
Automatic based on tax filing.
Common gotcha
Ensure your contact details are updated in SingPass.

Public Transport Voucher

national · Ministry of Transport

Who qualifies
Lower-income households.
What you get
Vouchers to offset transport costs.
What it actually costs you
Application required when announced.
Common gotcha
Limited application window.

Public Rental Scheme

national · HDB

Who qualifies
Low-income citizens with no other housing options.
What you get
Subsidized rental housing.
What it actually costs you
Strict eligibility criteria and income assessment.
Common gotcha
Long waiting lists.

S&CC Rebate

national · Town Councils

Who qualifies
HDB households.
What you get
Direct offset on monthly service charges.
What it actually costs you
Automatic; no application needed.
Common gotcha
Only applies to HDB flats.

Assurance Package

national · Ministry of Finance

Who qualifies
All adult Singaporeans.
What you get
Cash payouts to offset GST increases.
What it actually costs you
None; automatic disbursement.
Common gotcha
Check your status on the official website.

My digital keys to the city

Accessing every government portal and service securely.

SingPass

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
All residents with a NRIC/FIN.
What you get
Single sign-on for all government services.
What it actually costs you
Requires mobile app and biometric setup.
Common gotcha
Don't share your password; use the app for face verification.

MyInfo

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
SingPass users.
What you get
Auto-filling of personal data for forms.
What it actually costs you
None; consent-based.
Common gotcha
Ensure your data is updated at the relevant agencies.

LifeSG App

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
All citizens.
What you get
Centralized portal for government services and benefits.
What it actually costs you
Download app.
Common gotcha
Check notifications for new benefits.

OneService App

national · Municipal Services Office

Who qualifies
Residents.
What you get
Reporting municipal issues like broken lights or pests.
What it actually costs you
None.
Common gotcha
Be specific with location tags.

Gov.sg WhatsApp Channel

national · MCI

Who qualifies
Anyone with WhatsApp.
What you get
Official news and updates.
What it actually costs you
None.
Common gotcha
Verify the checkmark to avoid scams.

MOM E-Services

national · Ministry of Manpower

Who qualifies
Workers and employers.
What you get
Employment pass and work permit management.
What it actually costs you
Fees for work pass applications.
Common gotcha
Strict deadlines for pass renewals.

State-level schemes

1states & territories — open one to see what it offers.

Singapore新加坡

Singapore offers a high-tech ecosystem for creators with specific grants for digital media production and robust support for local small businesses.

Funding my creative projects

Media Content Development Grant

state · Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

Who qualifies
Singapore-registered companies producing high-quality local media content.
What you get
Co-funding of development costs for scripts, pilots, or production prototypes.
What it actually costs you
Detailed project proposal, budget breakdown, and proof of distribution intent.
Common gotcha
The grant is for production companies; you need to be incorporated as a business, not just a sole creator.

National Library Board Creator Residency

state · National Library Board

Who qualifies
Singaporean creators working on projects related to Singapore history or culture.
What you get
Access to archives, workspace, and potential funding for content output.
What it actually costs you
Application via open call, portfolio review, and project commitment.
Common gotcha
Highly competitive; requires a clear research-based angle for your content.

National Heritage Board Heritage Grant

state · National Heritage Board

Who qualifies
Creators producing content that promotes Singapore's heritage.
What you get
Project funding for documentaries or digital media projects.
What it actually costs you
Detailed budget and heritage impact statement.
Common gotcha
Must explicitly align with heritage preservation goals.

Singapore Film Location Incentive

state · Singapore Tourism Board

Who qualifies
Production teams filming in Singapore for international distribution.
What you get
Rebate on qualifying production spend within Singapore.
What it actually costs you
Audit of production expenses and proof of international reach.
Common gotcha
Minimum spend thresholds apply; not for small-scale vlogs.

Running my streaming business

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

state · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
Small businesses looking to upgrade digital capabilities or expand overseas.
What you get
Up to 50% funding for third-party consultancy or software costs.
What it actually costs you
Business plan, financial statements, and BizFile registration.
Common gotcha
Must show clear business growth potential, not just personal hobby equipment.

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

state · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
Businesses adopting pre-approved digital solutions (e.g., accounting, CRM).
What you get
Up to 50% subsidy on pre-approved software packages.
What it actually costs you
Purchase of pre-approved software from listed vendors.
Common gotcha
Only applies to specific vendors on the pre-approved list.

SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit

state · SkillsFuture Singapore

Who qualifies
Employers who have contributed CPF for at least 3 employees.
What you get
Credit to offset costs of training and business transformation.
What it actually costs you
Automatic eligibility check based on CPF records.
Common gotcha
You must have paid at least $750 in CPF contributions over a specific period.

Digital Resilience Bonus

state · IMDA

Who qualifies
Businesses adopting digital tools for e-invoicing and business processes.
What you get
Payouts for hitting digital adoption milestones.
What it actually costs you
Proof of implementation of digital tools.
Common gotcha
Requires active use of PayNow Corporate and e-invoicing.