Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad to Parliamentary Question on NS LifeSG Credits on 13 Nov 2024

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many past national servicemen above 60 years old will be eligible for $200 in LifeSG credits under the 2024 Budget; and (b) how will the Government reach out to less technically savvy past national servicemen to assist them in claiming the $200 credits, beyond asking them to approach the digital ambassadors located at the 16 digital community hubs.

SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, ZAQY MOHAMAD:

The NS LifeSG Credits recognise past and present national servicemen from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team for their contributions to Singapore’s defence and security. In the month of November, more than one million national servicemen would have received, via the LifeSG mobile application, $200 worth of credits which can be used to purchase a range of household and lifestyle goods and services. 26%, or more than a quarter of a million, of the recipients are above 60 years old.

Recipients who need help to claim the credits can contact the NS Call Centre or approach the digital ambassadors at the thirty-six SG Digital Community Hubs and nine ServiceSG Centres. Those who are unable to access the credits via the digital LifeSG mobile application or are not comfortable with digital payments may request MINDEF or MHA for hardcopy vouchers.

This approach is similar to the arrangement for the NS55 Recognition Package in 2022, which had worked well and received positive feedback from past and present national servicemen.