4 Types Of Things You Cannot Buy Using Your CDC Vouchers At Supermarkets

In 2024, there were 2 tranches of CDC vouchers given to every Singaporean household – $500 in January and $300 in June 2024. Half of the vouchers (worth a total of $400) can be spent at supermarkets while the other half can be spent at participating heartland merchants and hawkers.

These vouchers expire on 31 December 2024. Not to fret though, as we can look forward to another CDC voucher tranche worth $300 in January 2025.

The vouchers are given by the Singapore government to help offset cost-of-living expenses, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike, and a buffer for any inflationary pressures on groceries.

To cash in on the scheme, some supermarkets incentivised Singaporeans to spend their CDC vouchers with them (when you spend a minimum amount) by offering additional return vouchers. We may be able to expect similar promotions when the next tranche is issued in January 2025.

Read Also: Singapore Budget 2024: 24 Things That Will Impact Singaporeans Financially

Recap: What Are CDC Vouchers?

The CDC vouchers are part of efforts from authorities to help Singaporeans cushion the effects of inflation and higher cost-of-living. The 2024 vouchers, issued in January and June, will expire on 31 Dec, 2024.

For this tranche, the value of the vouchers is allocated equally to be spent at supermarkets and participating heartland merchants and hawkers. There are over 23,000 participating hawkers and heartland merchants and residents can find the participants here.

The vouchers are in fixed denominations $2, $5, and $10. Only 1 member representing the household needs to make the claim digitally. They can share the vouchers with the remaining household members.

Several sets of CDC vouchers have been dispensed by the government since 2020.

– June 2020: Lower-income households received $50 in CDC vouchers
– February 2021: Lower-income households received $50 in CDC vouchers
– December 2021: All Singaporean households received $100 worth of CDC vouchers
– May 2022: All Singaporean households received $100 worth of CDC vouchers
– January 2023: All Singaporean households received $300 worth of CDC vouchers
– January 2024: All Singaporean households received $500 worth of CDC vouchers
– June 2024: All Singaporean households received $300 worth of CDC vouchers
– January 2025: All Singaporean households to receive $300 worth of CDC vouchers

Which Supermarkets Accept CDC vouchers?

Currently, 8 supermarket chains accept CDC vouchers as payment – Ang Mo Supermarket, Cold Storage and CS Fresh, Giant Singapore, HAO Mart, NTUC FairPrice, Prime Supermarket, Sheng Siong, U Stars Supermarket.

Together, the supermarket chains provide over 400 outlets for residents to spend their CDC vouchers.

The vouchers cannot be used for e-commerce or online transactions.

What Are The Items I Cannot Buy Using CDC Vouchers At Supermarkets?

The digital vouchers (expressed in Singapore dollars) are not valid for the purchase of the following items in supermarkets:

CDC vouchers:
#1 Not valid for the purchase of alcohol or cigarettes (i.e. certain “sin” products)
#2 Not valid for the purchase of lottery products – This means you cannot use the vouchers to buy Toto, 4D, Big Sweep, or scratch cards.
#3 Not valid for the purchase of Diesel and Petrol
#4 Not valid for resale/exchangeable for cash or gift vouchers

Read Also: Step By Step Guide To Redeeming Your CDC Vouchers

How Many Vouchers Can I Use Each Time At The Supermarkets, Are They Refundable?

If you have a household that spends quite a fair bit on groceries every month then you are in luck, as you can stack multiple vouchers in a single transaction. The vouchers that are used are not refundable.

According to the CDC website, there is no limit to the number you can spend per purchase but you can only use a maximum of 15 digital vouchers per QR code to ensure that the QR code is scannable by merchants.

Do purchase items that are of higher dollar value than the vouchers and do a mental sum of the total price of the items before you check out. Any remaining value of your vouchers cannot be given back as change.

For example, if you plan to use $55 worth of vouchers, be sure to add to your cart more than $55 of items. If the total cost of your items is $54.50 and you redeem $55 CDC vouchers, you won’t get any change for that.

E.g. Total cost of grocery items: $54.50

How To Redeem/Apply For The CDC Vouchers And When Do They Expire

Here are the steps to claim your CDC vouchers:

1) Visit go.gov.sg/cdcv and click on the “claim” button under CDC Vouchers 2024.

2) Log in with your Singpass to confirm your details to get the vouchers. (Only 1 household member needs to do this on behalf of the household).

3) You will get an SMS from RedeemSG with a unique link.

4) You can now access and redeem the vouchers by clicking on the link.

Select the voucher(s) and show the QR code to the shop staff. They will scan it to complete your payment.

You can share the vouchers with household members by clicking on the unique redemption link. The vouchers are not renewable upon expiry and the expiry date is final.

Spent vouchers will be marked as “Redeemed” on your voucher link. You can also view your transaction history on the main vouchers landing page.

I Don’t Need The Vouchers, Can I Donate Them?

If you are feeling generous, you can always donate your CDC vouchers. Residents will be able to donate their unused CDC Vouchers 2024 (January) and CDC Vouchers 2024 (June) to participating charities from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.

Read Also: Struggling To Cope With Inflation: 5 Things To Be Avoiding, And What We Should Do Instead

This article was first published on 10 Jan 2023 and updated to reflect the latest information.

Listen to our podcast, where we have in-depth discussions on finance topics that matter to you.

How Many Money Habits Do You Practise?

Whatever financial goals you’ve set for yourself, take small, consistent steps towards them by adopting good Money Habits. Tap in and learn how to make money decisions that are right for you, at every stage of life here.