Singapore Workfare Income Supplement Guide

What is the Workfare Income Supplement?

The Workfare income supplement (WIS) is a financial assistance scheme designed to support lower-wage workers who remain employed. It is fully funded by the Singapore government through the Ministry of Manpower and administered by the CPF Board (CPFB). Through the workfare income supplement scheme, eligible Singapore workers receive payment in cash and CPF contributions. 

Why was it introduced?

Singapore introduced the WIS in 2007 as part of its broader Workfare strategy, a distinctive approach that focuses on supporting work instead of dependency. There were a few key reasons behind this move:

1. To encourage work and self-reliance

Rather than offering welfare benefits that could discourage employment, WIS was designed to reward effort and motivate employees to stay in the workforce, even in lower-paying jobs.

2. To support older and low-income workers

As Singapore’s economy grew, older and less-skilled workers risked being left behind. The supplement helps them cope with living costs and build up CPF savings for greater security in their later years.

3. To narrow the income gap

By directly supplementing wages, the government could raise the take-home pay of lower-wage workers without burdening employers or affecting Singapore’s competitiveness.

How does the Workfare payout work?

The workfare payout is divided into two parts: cash and CPF contributions, each serving its own purpose.

Cash portion: immediate support for daily needs

The cash payout helps lower-wage workers handle day-to-day expenses like groceries, transport, bills, or family needs. As this amount goes directly into the bank account, it provides flexible, short-term financial support without needing to borrow or wait.

Learn more: Employee Financial Wellness Programs & Benefits

CPF portion: building long-term security

The CPF portion of WIS is designed to help workers save for the future. It is credited to CPF accounts: 

• Ordinary Account for housing
• Special Account for retirement
• MediSave Account for healthcare

This ensures that today’s support also strengthens your retirement, housing, and healthcare savings in the long term.

How the split works

• Employees: Receive 40% of WIS in cash and 60% credited to CPF accounts.
• Self-employed persons (SEPs): Receive 10% in cash and 90% credited to their MediSave account, since they contribute independently without employer CPF support.

Note: These ratios remain unchanged under the enhanced 2025 WIS scheme.

Who is eligible for Workfare Income Supplement?

Not every Singapore worker is entitled to WIS. The Workfare Income Supplement Scheme targets citizens who are employed or self-employed and earn a modest income. 

Employed workers

You may qualify for the Workfare Income Supplement if you meet all these conditions:

• You’re a Singapore citizen.

• You’re aged 30 and above, or aged 13 and above if you have a disability.

• Your gross monthly income does not exceed S$3,000 (increased from S$2,500 from Work Year 2025).
• You have received CPF contributions as an employee in the year of work.

• You live in a property with an annual value of S$21,000 or less and own no more than one property.

• Your average gross monthly income over the past 12 months also does not exceed S$2,500.

Self-employed persons

You may qualify if you meet the following criteria:

• You’re a Singapore citizen aged 30 and above (or 13 and above with a disability).

• Your average monthly net trade income (NTI) does not exceed S$3,000 (previously S$2,500).

• You contribute at least S$240 per year to your MediSave account.

• You meet the same property and residence conditions as employees.

Platform workers 

This group includes people working through ride-hailing, delivery, or freelance digital platforms.

You may qualify if you:

• Are a Singapore citizen aged 30 and above (or 13 and above with a disability).

• Earn an average monthly income of up to S$3,000 from platform work (increased from S$2,500 from 2025).

• Make MediSave contributions.

• Meet the same property ownership and residence conditions.

How much are the workfare payouts?

The payout you receive depends on your age and employment type. 

Below are the maximum annual WIS amounts for work done from 1 January 2025 onwards.

Examples

For employees

If an employee qualifies for S$2,000 in WIS, they would receive about S$800 in cash (to their bank account) and S$1,200 credited to CPF, offering immediate flexibility without building long-term savings.

For self-employed persons

A self-employed person earning within the qualifying range might receive S$1,800 in WIS, all credited to their MediSave and Retirement Accounts.

When are the workfare payouts made for WIS?

WIS payouts are typically made quarterly for employees and annually for self-employed persons.

The payments are automatically credited to: 

• Your bank account (for the cash portion), and
• Your CPF account (for the CPF portion).

No application is needed if you are an employee, as eligibility is assessed based on CPF records. Self-employed persons must declare their annual income and make MediSave contributions to receive their payout.

Changes to platform workers

Starting Work Year 2025, platform workers will receive WIS payouts monthly, aligning them with employees. This was part of MOM’s 2023-2024 announcements to provide more consistent financial support and CPF contributions throughout the year, instead of waiting for a single annual payout.

Modes of payment

Your WIS payout can be received through several convenient channels:

• PayNow (linked to your NRIC): The fastest and most convenient way to get your payout.

• Direct bank transfer: If you don’t have PayNow linked.

• GovCash: This is for those without a bank account; you can collect your workfare payout at OCBC ATMs using your NRIC and Singpass Face Verification.

WIS Calculator: How to Estimate Your Workfare Payout

You can check your workfare payout amount, cash vs CPF portions, and workfare S$3,000 payout date using the official Workfare Income Supplement calculator or WIS calculator available on the MOM website.

The workfare income supplement calculator provides a quick estimate of how much you will receive based on your age, income, and employment type under the enhanced 2025 scheme. 

Here’s how the workfare income supplement calculator works:

1. Go to the official Workfare website (under MOM or CPF Board).
2. Enter your birth year; this helps determine your age group, which affects your WIS rate.
3. Enter your gross monthly income or average monthly income if it varies.
4. For self-employed persons, you’ll also indicate your net trade income.

Once you submit those details, the calculator shows you an estimated WIS payout, broken down into:

• Cash amount
• CPF amount
• Payment schedule (usually quarterly for employees and annually for self-employed persons)

Changes to Workfare Income Supplement in 2025 and Beyond

Higher income ceiling 

From Work Year 2025, the qualifying monthly income limit for employees is raised from S$2,500 to S$3,000. 

For self-employed persons and platform workers, the income ceiling is likewise set at not more than S$3,000 per month.

Increased payouts for older workers

Below are the exact maximum annual WIS payouts for work done from 1 January 2025 onwards:

Platform worker inclusion

From 2025, eligible platform workers will receive monthly WIS payouts instead of annually.

They will continue to receive the same maximum amount as SEPs until 2029, when their CPF contribution rates align fully with employees, at which point they may receive the same maximum as employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to apply for the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)?

No. If you’re an employee, you’re automatically assessed through your CPF records. For self-employed persons (SEPs), you must declare your Net Trade Income (NTI) and make the required MediSave contributions.

For platform workers, you do not need to apply if your platform operator submits the required data.

2. How often will I receive my workfare payout?

• Employees: Monthly
• Self-employed: Annually after the work year ends and MediSave contribution is made
• Platform workers: Monthly (from March 2025 onwards)

3. How do I check my workfare payout status?

You can check your WIS / CPF / government benefits via the CPF or Workfare online e-services portals (with Singpass). The CPF Board provides tools to show your estimated payout and your actual disbursement. 

4. What is the maximum workfare payout I can receive?

For work done from 2025, the annual maximums are:

• Age 30–34: S$2,450
• Age 35–44: S$3,500
• Age 45–59: S$4,200
• Age 60+ / persons with disabilities: S$4,900

5. Why is my payout smaller than expected?

It could be due to higher income, fewer working months, property limits, or insufficient MediSave contributions.

6. Can I receive WIS if I already have other government support schemes?

WIS eligibility is based on meeting the WIS criteria, such as income, age, CPF contributions, and property limits. 

Although there are no official restrictions preventing individuals from receiving WIS if they are also receiving other government support schemes, note that some specific programs may have separate eligibility rules. It is advisable to verify if any particular scheme could affect your WIS entitlements.

Smart Workfare Income Supplement Management with HR Tools

Managing the Workfare Income Supplement scheme can be complex, from calculating the correct WIS for employees and self-employed persons to tracking workfare payouts and CPF contributions. 

A modern HR platform like Omni simplifies this process with integrated payroll, compliance, and employee records. HR teams can quickly estimate WIS entitlements, monitor deadlines like the workfare S$3,000 payout date, and ensure all workfare income supplement payments are accurate and on time. 

By centralizing these tasks, Omni helps Singapore businesses stay compliant while enhancing employee financial wellness and operational efficiency. Book a demo with our team today to learn more.