Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Parentology

Baby Bonus Online is the one-stop platform for you to manage all of your needs related to the Baby Bonus Scheme and the newly-released Baby Support Grant. Naturally, many users (that is, parents and caregivers) often have many questions on how to use the platform, and that is specifically what we will try to answer in this article.

 

Technical Matters

Most computers and cellphones nowadays are able to handle logging onto Baby Bonus Online without too much trouble, but if you know that you have some older equipment, it may be worth keeping in mind that they may affect the performance of the site.

Baby Bonus Online requires the following hardware:

• 1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor
• 1 Gigabyte (GB) 32-bit and 2 Gigabyte 64-bit RAM

 

It also requires the following software specifications:

• Operating System (O.S.) Windows 7 or Mac equivalent, and above
• The browser should be Google Chrome 22.0 and above, or equivalent

 

To check the browser version, you can follow the instructions below:

 

Internet Explorer

• Click ‘Help’ on the menu bar
• Click ‘About Internet Explorer’

 

Google Chrome

• Click ‘Help’ on the menu bar
• Click ‘About Google Chrome’

Firefox

• Click ‘Help’ on the menu bar
• Click ‘About Firefox’

 

In both cases, a screen should pop up with information on your browser, and you should be able to find the browser version there. If it is not updated, you may be prompted to relaunch the browser in order to update the version, but once it is done you should be good to go!

If the portal is slower than you are expecting, it is likely that you are having one of these three issues: hardware, software, or your local Internet provider may be having issues. To check for the last one, simply try another website. If it loads normally, it is unlikely to be broadband or Wi-Fi issues; if it does not, it probably is and therefore has nothing to do with the software or hardware.

If you suspect it is a hardware issue, you may want to bring your device to a technician to diagnose further. If it is a software issue, we recommend updating all relevant software, including the operating system and browser as well. Failing that, if you encounter page errors while accessing the Baby Bonus portal or are unable to log in, you should also try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies in the browser settings. Close any other applications running on your computer as well.

 

Specific Error Messages

If you see the message “You have already logged in. Simultaneous sessions are not allowed,” it may be because you are attempting to access your account on multiple devices – your cellphone and other laptops count as multiple devices! Additionally, however, you may also come across this issue if:

• you have used the browser’s back, forward, or refresh buttons
• the previous sessions were not properly terminated (e.g. if the Internet was cut off, or if you closed the browser without logging out)

If you have successfully logged in with SingPass, but access was denied after, this probably means you are not authorised to access the portal. Typically, only the child’s parents or caregivers, as well as the bank account holder and Child Development Account (CDA) trustee, are able to log into Baby Bonus Online. If you are part of one of these categories related to the child in question, do email MSF so that they may help you. Include the following information:

• A summary of the problem
• Your log-in ID
• The name and birth certificate number of the child to whom the account belongs
• Date and time the issue occurred, and a screenshot of the page

 

You should also know that Baby Bonus Online undergoes scheduled maintenance every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Singapore time. During this period you may face errors when logging in, or it may send a message notifying you that the site is undergoing scheduled maintenance.

Should you need any technical assistance, you can email MSF at msf_babybonus@msf.gov.sg, or call their hotline at 1800-111-2222. On the hotline, let the virtual assistant know that it will not iniiíyou are looking for the baby bonus department, and they will send you there. The hotline’s hours are usually Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

To report any technical errors or request assistance, it is always good to have the following information on hand when emailing or calling them:

• Date and time during which issues occurred
• Operating system type and version, browser type and version
• The name of your Internet Service Provider (Singtel, M1, Starhub, etc.)
• For emails, do send along the URL of the browser that isn’t functioning, as well as a screenshot of any error messages that have popped up

 

Actions You Can Take on the Site

Baby Bonus Online allows you to access several important application forms, one of which is the registration form for the entire scheme. You should not use your browser’s back button while filling out these forms – this may cause errors, which means you may be required to fill out the entire form again. Instead, use the back buttons that are dedicated to the specific form – these are found on the web page itself rather than on the browser bar.

Printing a page is also quite simple. Assuming you have a printer connected to your computer, you simply right-click on any page you would like to print, and select ‘Print’ on the drop-down menu that pops up. Adjust the settings as desired, and then hit the Print button one last time.

If you have submitted an application and have gone on to check it, but see that the status is ‘Action Required by Applicant’, there are several things that you may need to do. Firstly, check the application form for typos – check if the parent details are the same as those printed on the birth certificate of the child you are applying for. Check for other mistakes as well. To make changes, simply use the ‘Update Application/Change Status’ selection on Baby Bonus Online. If you find for whatever reason that you are unable to edit the form, call or email MSF with screenshots of the issue.

 

Singaporean Citizens Living Overseas

If you are overseas, you will need to call the MSF hotline via (65) 6253 7707 instead of the 1800 number above.

For Singaporean Citizens whose children qualify for the Baby Bonus Scheme but are living abroad, there are certain location-restricted issues that may arise. For instance, the application form will not allow entering foreign contact numbers as local Singaporean numbers are necessary for opening a CDA due to the fact that CDA savings can only be used with local providers. There is no getting around this requirement, so MSF recommends providing the number of a trusted relative in Singapore to move forward with the application, and then potentially purchasing and using a local number in the future.

If you are a citizen but your partner is a foreigner, you will want to keep the following notes in mind while filling out the application:

• Leave the NRIC/FIN field blank
• Under the ‘Identification Type’ question, select ‘Passport Number’ or ‘Foreign ID’
• Populate the ‘Passport Number/Foreign ID’ field with the relevant information

 

In Closing

We hope the information here is helpful for you in the Baby Bonus Online! Feel free to contact us and drop us a note on the various parenting information topic that you would like to read on!

Take control of your financial future as young parents. Our experienced financial advisors are here to guide you through the journey of financial planning. Whether it’s securing your child’s future, managing expenses, or maximizing your savings, we’re ready to help. Schedule a consultation today and gain the peace of mind you deserve. Contact us now to start your financial planning journey!