New parents, what government schemes and payouts should we actually be claiming?

New-ish parent, here's the practical checklist. Baby Bonus has two parts, the Cash Gift paid out in instalments, and the Child Development Account (CDA) which is a co-savings account, the government matches what you put in up to a cap plus a First Step grant that lands even if you contribute nothing. Open the CDA with a participating bank and use it for approved childcare, medical and enrichment, it stretches your dollar hugely. There's also a MediSave grant for newborns credited automatically to the baby's CPF MediSave to help with health insurance and jabs. Enrol in the schemes ideally around birth registration, a lot is now streamlined through the government portal, but don't sleep on opening the CDA because the matching only works on money you actually deposit. Also check parental leave entitlements with your employer. Set aside an afternoon, do it all in one sitting, future you will thank you.