Singapore — Help & Advice
Government benefits & financial support after a death (Singapore): CPF, Public Trustee, ComCare, work benefits, banks & insurance
This page helps you answer the most urgent question: where can money and support come from after a death — and how to move each claim to completion using checklists, acknowledgements, and a follow-up calendar.
Quick map (Singapore)
- CPF: nomination payout, or Public Trustee if no nomination.
- MediSave: hospital claims timing can affect sequencing.
- ComCare: urgent household assistance via Social Service Offices.
- Workplace: last salary, unused leave, benefits, group insurance.
- Banks: stop standing instructions, identify accounts/loans.
- Insurance: personal + group policies (often overlooked).
Scope boundary (no leaks)
Official starting point (Singapore)
First 72 hours (stop losses & lock evidence)
Before you ‘understand everything’: prevent silent losses and reduce disputes.
Real-world risks (common)
- Secure the primary phone/email (OTP, bank alerts, password resets).
- Stop standing instructions and subscriptions where possible (GIRO/auto-pay/recurring bills).
- Preserve evidence: screenshots, statements, email confirmations, call logs.
- For every submission: insist on an acknowledgement (receipt, case number, email trail).
Turn chaos into a trackable system
- Appoint one family “coordinator” to speak to agencies/banks/insurers.
- Create one consistent Master File (PDF pack) plus a tracking log: date, channel, officer, case ref, missing items, next step, follow-up date.
- Important appointments: bring two people when possible (reduces mistakes).
For the full action checklist, use what to do after a death (Singapore).
Who this guide is for (what you can skip)
A 20-second filter so you don’t get overwhelmed.
This guide is most useful if the deceased had CPF savings, MediSave hospital bills, employment benefits, multiple bank accounts/loans, or insurance policies (personal or group).
If your case is simple, prioritise just three lanes first: CPF + workplace benefits + bank stop-loss (standing instructions/loans).
Start here (the order that avoids running in circles)
Correct sequence = fewer rejections and fewer repeat trips.
- Get the fundamentals into one pack: digital death certificate + your ID + proof of relationship (where required).
- Clarify CPF status fast: nomination vs no nomination.
- If there are hospital bills: confirm whether MediSave claims timing affects what needs to be done first.
- If household cash is tight: open the ComCare lane early (case refs and follow-up dates matter).
- Ask the employer for a full “death case payout checklist” (not just last salary).
- Stop bank standing instructions, map accounts/loans, then follow each bank’s deceased process.
- Run a quick insurance search (paper + email + employer + bank add-ons) and open claim files.
Anti-stall formula
30-second filters
Answer these 7 questions and you’ll know most of what to do.
- Is there a CPF nomination?
- Were there CPF investments (CPFIS) that may fall into the estate?
- Are there hospital bills / MediSave claims pending?
- Is the household facing immediate cash need?
- Was the deceased employed with benefits or group insurance?
- Are there standing instructions / GIRO / subscriptions that will keep charging?
- Are there loans (mortgage, personal, credit) that might become overdue?
Jump to what you need
Pick the right lane — but follow the recommended order for less rework.
CPF: nomination vs Public Trustee (and the fast path)
CPF is a major ‘money lane’ in Singapore. First question: is there a CPF nomination?
In Singapore, CPF is often handled outside the estate process if there is a valid nomination. If there is no nomination, CPF monies are generally forwarded to the Public Trustee for distribution (which can be slower).
Official CPF guidance (start here)
- CPF Board: Paying out CPF when you pass away — cpf.gov.sg (On your passing away)
- My Legacy: Settle CPF withdrawal — mylegacy.life.gov.sg (CPF withdrawal)
- Public Trustee (CPF monies without nomination) — pto.mlaw.gov.sg (Information for next-of-kin)
The 5 questions to ask (copy/paste)
- “Is there a CPF nomination, and who are the nominees?”
- “What is the correct application route for this exact case?”
- “What documents are required (please provide a checklist)?”
- “How will I receive acknowledgement / case reference?”
- “What is the follow-up date and how do I check status?”
Important nuance (don’t miss this)
Legal estate distribution and probate/letters details: legal guide (Singapore).
MediSave hospital claims (timing matters)
Do this early if there were hospital bills — it can affect sequencing.
In practice, hospitals may need to submit MediSave claims before CPF savings are distributed. If there were hospital bills, ask the hospital what they need from the family and when it must be done. Don’t wait until “later”.
Why this matters (real-world)
ComCare & Social Service Offices (urgent help)
If the household is struggling with basics, open this lane early.
If you need immediate support with essentials, ComCare (via Social Service Offices) is a key government pathway. The fastest way to reduce stress is to bring a simple packet and get a case reference + follow-up date.
Official starting points
- MSF ComCare overview — msf.gov.sg (ComCare)
- SupportGoWhere: ComCare SMTA — supportgowhere.life.gov.sg (SMTA)
What to bring (minimum viable pack)
- Digital death certificate
- Household income / employment details (recent payslips if available)
- Urgent expenses (rent/utilities arrears, hospital bills, funeral invoices if any)
- Your contact details + bank details (for follow-up, if requested)
Workplace: salary/leave/benefits & group insurance
Don’t just ask for ‘last salary’. Ask for a complete death-case payout checklist.
Employers can be a major source of money and documents: last salary, unused leave, bonuses, reimbursements, HR benefit payouts, and group insurance claims. Also ask what the employer must certify for CPF/insurance/bank processes.
Script for HR/Payroll (copy/paste)
“We need the full checklist for a death case: all payouts due (salary/leave/benefits), any group insurance/benefits claims, documents we must submit, documents the company will issue, the processing timeline, and how we will receive acknowledgement in writing.”
Practical tip
Banks: accounts/standing instructions/loans
Step 1 stop leakages. Step 2 map products. Step 3 follow the bank’s deceased process.
Stop leakages first (instant savings)
- List GIRO/standing instructions, subscriptions, card auto-payments.
- Preserve evidence (statements/screenshots) before changing anything.
- Don’t close everything blindly: you may need an active channel for refunds/adjustments.
The standard bank question (copy/paste)
“Please confirm all products held by the deceased with your bank (accounts, deposits, cards, loans, standing instructions). What is your deceased-account process, what documents are required, and can you provide a case reference/acknowledgement and expected timeline?”
Insurance: personal & group claims
Fast money is sometimes in a forgotten policy: group insurance, bank add-ons, or old personal plans.
Your job is to confirm 4 things quickly: whether there is a policy, who the beneficiary is, the document checklist, and the claim reference and timeline.
5 places to search (fast)
- Paper files at home (policies, certificates, premium notices)
- Email/SMS (search “insurance”, “policy”, “premium”, insurer names)
- Employer HR (group benefits)
- Banks (loan/card add-on insurance)
- Family members who paid premiums or received notices
Safety rule
Community supports (when relevant)
When government routes aren’t enough, some families also use community support schemes.
Depending on your circumstances, there may be community-based assistance that complements national schemes. Treat these as additional lanes — keep your documentation consistent and track them like any other case.
Example (where relevant)
Keep it clean (avoid mixing lanes)
Follow-up calendar (so cases don’t ‘stall’)
Systems reward consistency. A weekly follow-up rhythm is normal.
- Week 1–2: CPF lane opened (nomination vs Public Trustee), MediSave hospital admin (if relevant), employer checklist, bank stop-loss + product map, insurance policy search.
- Week 3–4: submit remaining documents, respond quickly to missing-item lists, confirm follow-up dates.
- Month 2: weekly follow-ups per lane, always referencing your case number.
- Month 3: escalate formally if there is no movement (with evidence pack).
One-line tracking format (use for every lane)
Escalation (when you get stuck)
Evidence moves cases: Master File + acknowledgements + a clear timeline.
CPF / Public Trustee
- Step 1: confirm which route applies (nomination vs no nomination).
- Step 2: ensure you have a case reference and checklist on record.
- Step 3: if asked for more documents, request a written missing-item list.
- Step 4: follow up on schedule; if overdue, escalate with your full timeline and attachments list.
Banks / Insurers / Employer
- Step 1: request a written process + checklist + case reference.
- Step 2: escalate internally (branch manager, claims supervisor, HR head).
- Step 3: when needed, lodge a formal complaint with your evidence pack attached.
ComCare / SSO
- Step 1: keep a case reference and follow-up appointment/date.
- Step 2: if asked for documents, submit a complete pack once (with an itemised list).
- Step 3: if your situation changes urgently, update the case promptly and ask for re-assessment.
Golden rule
When is it ‘done’?
Clear completion signals so you can move on without anxiety.
- CPF: you have a confirmed payout outcome and timeline (or confirmation that funds are with the Public Trustee, if no nomination).
- Hospital/MediSave: billing and claims are resolved (or clearly pending with a reference).
- Employer: all payouts are settled and documentation is complete.
- Banks: standing instructions stopped, product map confirmed, and the deceased-account process completed.
- Insurance: claims are filed with references and final outcomes received.
- ComCare: assistance decision and next review date are clearly documented (if applicable).
Self-check
Master File checklist (one pack for all)
Build once, reuse everywhere: CPF, hospital, SSO, employer, banks, insurers.
- Digital death certificate (saved PDF copy)
- Your identification (NRIC/passport) and contact details
- Proof of relationship / authority (as required per agency)
- CPF lane notes: whether nomination exists, and which route applies
- Hospital billing packet (invoices, statements, authorisation notes, if any)
- Employer packet (HR contact, payout checklist, acknowledgements)
- Bank packet: account/loan map, standing instructions list, case refs
- Insurance packet: policy clues, claim references, document checklists
- Tracking log: date, channel, officer, case ref, missing items, next step, follow-up date
High-leverage tip
Common mistakes
Avoidable ‘silent losses’ and avoidable delays.
- Submitting without first obtaining the correct checklist for your specific route
- Leaving without an acknowledgement / case reference
- Letting standing instructions keep running for weeks
- Not saving evidence (statements, screenshots, email trails)
- Mixing benefits admin with inheritance decisions (creates conflict and stalls progress)
If you only do 3 things this month
- Open the CPF lane and secure a clear route + case reference
- Stop standing instructions and map bank accounts/loans
- Get the employer’s full death-case payout checklist + acknowledgements
FAQ (Singapore — benefits & financial support after a death)
Questions and answers ready for snippet.
In Singapore, where does financial support usually come from after a death?
Most families find money in a few predictable places: (1) CPF payout (via nomination, or via the Public Trustee if there is no nomination), (2) workplace payments (last salary, unused leave, benefits, group insurance), (3) banks (stop standing instructions, identify accounts/loans), (4) insurance policies (personal or group), and (5) short-term support like ComCare via Social Service Offices if the household is in immediate need.
What is the fastest way to deal with CPF after a death?
Start by finding out whether the deceased made a CPF nomination. If there is a valid nomination, CPF is paid to nominees directly (not through the estate). If there is no nomination, CPF monies are generally handled by the Public Trustee for distribution. In all cases, keep your documents consistent and obtain a case reference/acknowledgement for tracking.
Why does MediSave timing matter right after death?
Hospitals may need to submit MediSave claims before CPF savings are distributed. In practice, you should clarify with the hospital early whether any authorisation forms or actions are needed, and do it as soon as possible so the hospital billing and CPF processes don’t conflict.
How do I get the digital death certificate in Singapore?
Deaths in Singapore are issued digitally. The next-of-kin can download the digital death certificate through official e-services (My Legacy / ICA). Keep a saved PDF copy in your Master File as many agencies will ask for it.
If we need urgent help paying bills or funeral costs, what should we do?
Approach your nearest Social Service Office for ComCare assessment and short-to-medium term assistance if eligible. Bring a simple packet: death certificate, household income details, and urgent expenses. Ask for a receipt/case reference and a follow-up date.
How do I stop money ‘leaking’ from bank accounts after a death?
List and stop standing instructions (GIRO, subscriptions, auto-payments) first, then map all accounts and loans across banks. Keep evidence (statements/screenshots) and ask each bank for their deceased-account process and a reference number so you can follow up.
Next steps (connect the 5 pillars)
Split the work into clean guides so you move faster with fewer mistakes.
- Full checklist: what to do after a death (Singapore)
- Funeral logistics: planning a funeral (Singapore)
- Estate/inheritance: legal guide (Singapore)
- Emotional support: grief support (Singapore)
Singapore — 5 pillars (recommended order)
These pages are designed to work together. Follow the order to avoid repeat trips and missing documents.
- What to do after a death (Singapore)
Time-based checklist (first day → first week → first month).
- Government benefits & financial support (Singapore)
CPF, Public Trustee, ComCare, workplace, banks, insurance (this page).
- Planning a funeral (Singapore)
Rites, logistics, costs, day-of checklist.
- Legal guide (Singapore)
Estate/inheritance, probate/letters, asset transfer (kept separate).
- Grief support (Singapore)
Emotional stabilisation, family coordination, reducing conflict.