Singapore introduced higher Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payments in 2025 to provide additional support to lower-income workers. Under the enhanced scheme, eligible employees aged 60 and above can receive up to S$4,900 a year, while younger workers qualify for lower maximum amounts based on their age.
The changes also increased the monthly income ceiling from S$2,500 to S$3,000, allowing more lower-income workers to qualify. The Workfare scheme provides a combination of cash payments and CPF contributions, helping eligible workers manage current expenses while building savings for retirement.
However, the S$4,900 amount is not a guaranteed cash payout for everyone. The actual benefit depends on age, income, employment type and other eligibility conditions.
What Is the Singapore Workfare Boost 2025?
The Workfare Income Supplement scheme is a Singapore Government programme that supports eligible lower-income Singaporean workers. It supplements their income and helps them build retirement or healthcare savings.
From Work Year 2025, the scheme introduced two important changes:
- The qualifying monthly income ceiling increased from S$2,500 to S$3,000.
- The maximum annual WIS payment for eligible employees aged 60 and above increased from S$4,200 to S$4,900.
The higher payment amounts also apply to eligible persons with disabilities, who receive the maximum tier regardless of age under the relevant rules.
The scheme covers employees, self-employed persons and platform workers, although the maximum amounts and payment arrangements differ between these groups.
Workfare Boost 2025: Maximum Annual Payment Amounts
The maximum amount a person can receive depends on their age and employment category.
Employees
| Age group | Maximum annual WIS for Work Year 2025 |
|---|---|
| 30–34 years | S$2,450 |
| 35–44 years | S$3,500 |
| 45–59 years | S$4,200 |
| 60 years and above | S$4,900 |
Self-employed persons and platform workers
| Age group | Maximum annual WIS for Work Year 2025 |
|---|---|
| 30–34 years | S$1,633 |
| 35–44 years | S$2,333 |
| 45–59 years | S$2,800 |
| 60 years and above | S$3,267 |
These are maximum annual amounts, not fixed payments. A worker may receive less depending on their earnings and eligibility assessment. Platform workers receive WIS monthly from 2025, while eligible self-employed persons generally receive their payments annually.
Who Qualifies for the Workfare Boost?
To qualify for WIS, a person generally needs to meet the following conditions.
1. Singapore citizenship
The scheme is for Singapore citizens. Permanent residents and foreign citizens do not qualify under the standard WIS rules.
2. Age requirement
Workers must generally be at least 30 years old by 31 December of the relevant Work Year. Persons with disabilities may qualify at any age, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
3. Monthly income limit
From Work Year 2025, eligible workers generally need to earn at least S$500 and no more than S$3,000 per month. The average gross monthly income over the preceding 12 months must also not exceed S$3,000.
Gross monthly income can include basic salary, overtime pay, commissions and bonuses.
Certain persons with disabilities, qualifying ComCare recipients and eligible caregivers may qualify under concessionary rules even if their income is below S$500.
4. Property requirements
The Annual Value of the property where the worker lives must generally be S$21,000 or less, assessed as at 31 December of the preceding year.
The worker must not own more than one property. For married applicants, the worker and spouse together must not own more than one property, and the spouse’s Assessable Income must not exceed S$70,000 for the preceding Year of Assessment.
Meeting the income requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility.
How Is the WIS Payment Divided?
Workfare is not paid entirely in cash. The allocation depends on the type of work.
Employees: 40% is paid in cash and 60% is credited to CPF accounts.
Self-employed persons: 10% is paid in cash and 90% is credited to the MediSave Account. They must declare their net trade income and fulfil the required MediSave contributions.
Platform workers: Under the 2025 rules, 10% is paid in cash and 90% goes to the MediSave Account. Platform workers who qualify receive monthly payments.
For example, an eligible employee receiving S$1,000 in WIS would generally receive S$400 in cash and S$600 in CPF contributions.
When Are Workfare Payments Made?
The payment schedule depends on the employment category.
| Worker type | Payment frequency | Usual timing |
|---|---|---|
| Employees | Monthly | Generally two months after the month worked |
| Platform workers | Monthly | Generally two months after the month worked |
| Self-employed persons | Annually | As early as the end of April in the following year, if requirements are completed by 31 March |
For employees, the monthly payment is assessed using income reported through CPF contributions. Eligible platform workers are assessed using monthly income information submitted by their platform operators.
Self-employed persons need to declare their income to IRAS and make the required MediSave contributions. If they complete these steps later, their payment may take longer.
How to Check Your Workfare Payment
Eligible employees and platform workers do not normally need to submit a separate application. Their eligibility is assessed automatically using the relevant income information.
To check your payment:
- Visit the official CPF Board website.
- Open the Workfare Income Supplement section.
- Use Singpass to access the relevant eligibility or payment service.
- Check your payment amount and registered bank details.
Self-employed persons should also confirm that their income declaration and required MediSave contributions have been completed.
If an employee’s employer has not made the required CPF contributions, the employee should contact the employer to clarify the discrepancy.
Final Words
Singapore’s Workfare Boost 2025 increased support for eligible lower-income workers by raising the qualifying income ceiling to S$3,000 and increasing maximum annual WIS payments. Eligible employees aged 60 and above can receive up to S$4,900 a year, while younger employees and self-employed workers have different maximum amounts.
The payment is divided between cash and CPF savings, and the amount depends on individual circumstances. Workers should check the official CPF Board guidance to confirm their eligibility and the amount applicable to their Work Year.