SINGAPORE - Hawker centre meals are set to be cheaper with diners receiving up to $3 in cashback when they use the DBS PayLah app.

The cashback initiative, which was

first announced in June

, is part of a slew of measures worth $23 million launched by DBS/POSB in 2025 to commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday.

Starting July 12 , Singaporeans and residents can receive up to $3 in cashback when they spend at hawker stalls and heartland shops with the DBS PayLah app on Saturdays.

The initiatives are aimed at reducing living and business costs, and promoting multi-generational experiences, said DBS.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong attended the launch of the bank’s SG60 pop-up community event held in One Punggol Hawker Centre .

“Cost-of-living has always been a concern for many Singaporeans, and we do our part to try to help and support our Singaporeans,” said Mr Gan, citing the rollout of CDC and SG60 voucher s.

Announced during Budget 2025

, all Singaporean households would receive an additional $500 in CDC vouchers May 2025 and $300 in January 2026.

Singaporean seniors aged 60 and above

can claim $800 worth of SG60 vouchers

, while adults aged between 21 and 59 will be able to claim $600 worth of the same vouchers from July 22.

Said Mr Gan: “We are very happy that DBS is also doing its part in offering the $3 cashback to help Singaporeans with their cost-of-living...We hope to continue partnering DBS in serving the people and reaching out to the community.”

The cashback initiative will run till Sept 27.

It is available to the first 160,000 people who scan and pay with PayLah at over 22,000 participating hawker stalls, wet markets, and heartland shops from 8am during these 12 weeks.

In 2024, DBS/POSB disbursed $14 million in cashback via PayLah to users, said DBS Singapore country head Lim Him Chuan , adding that around 40 per cent of beneficiaries were senior citizens and those who earn less than $ 2,500 monthly.

“The campaign is a way for us to show appreciation and support for society, communities, and our customers in Singapore,” said Mr Lim.

Other measures as part of this $23 million package include a six-month free subscription to NETS terminals for heartland merchants, and a twice-weekly distribution of nutritious meals to 6,000 lower-income individuals aged 60 and above over two years, across 12 towns such as Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Queenstown.

Every weekend starting from August, seniors can also take part in free tours of the DBS Singapore Gallery at the National Gallery. 

Free programmes that spotlight Singapore arts, poetry, and film are also open to visitors at the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre on weekends.

Mr Gan, along with Punggol GRC MPs Dr Janil Puthucheary and Ms Yeo Wan Ling , interacted with diners and hawkers at the hawker centre on July 12.

Residents participated in several games, such as one which required players to simulate grocery shopping with a budget of $30.

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Botak Cantonese Porridge, a stall in One Punggol Hawker Centre, told ST it serves around 40 more people on Saturdays when the cashback initiative was in effect in 2024, as compared to other days of the week.

“Ultimately it’s about exposure, and more people knew that we open at 7am after the cashback initiative began,” said outlet manager Chong Wei Jun, adding that the stall saw more customers in the mornings.

“It’s a win-win situation for both customers and business owners.”