The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) is Singapore long-running wage support for lower-income Singaporean workers. It boosts take-home pay with cash and builds long-term security by crediting CPF (or MediSave for self-employed). Beginning 1 January 2025, the Government raised Workfare support to better keep pace with wages and inflation, expanded the income threshold to S$3,000, and increased the maximum benefits.
Two distinct payout scales apply:
- Employees: higher scale, up to S$4,900 per year for older workers or persons with disabilities (PWDs).
- Self-Employed Persons (SEPs): up to S$3,267 per year (about two-thirds of the employee scale), with most of it credited to MediSave.
The frequently quoted S$3,267 figure refers to the enhanced SEP maximum (including PWDs); many headlines omit that employees can receive more under the 2025 table. Use the CPF Board calculators to see your exact entitlement by age and income.
Singapore Workfare 2025 Quick summary
Topic |
Details |
|---|---|
What changed in 2025 |
Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) was enhanced from 1 Jan 2025: higher payouts and wider income coverage. Income cap for eligibility is now S$3,000 GMI (previously S$2,500). |
Max payout (employees) |
Up to S$4,900 per year for eligible employees (higher for older workers and persons with disabilities). Use the official calculator for your age/income. |
Max payout (self-employed persons, including PWDs) |
Up to S$3,267 per year (paid mostly to MediSave). This is two-thirds of the employee scale. |
Income band to qualify |
Generally S$500–S$3,000 gross monthly income (GMI) for employees and net trade income for SEPs; concessionary rules may apply for PWDs, ComCare recipients and caregivers. |
When you are paid |
Employees: monthly, usually two months after the work month. SEPs: annually after making MediSave and filing income. Platform workers move to monthly from 2025. |
How cash is paid |
PayNow–NRIC first; otherwise bank transfer to a registered account; if none, GovCash via Singpass. |
Official links |
CPF Board – Workfare overview, eligibility, calculators, and payout dates. (Central Provident Fund) |
Who qualifies in 2025
Common requirements (employees and SEPs)
- Singapore Citizen.
- Age 30 or above in the work year. Persons with disabilities qualify regardless of age.
- Income test: generally S$500 to S$3,000 per month (employees: GMI; SEPs: net trade income).
- Property/household conditions apply (e.g., property annual value and spouse’s income thresholds), as set out in CPF’s eligibility guidance.
Concessions: Persons with disabilities, ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance recipients, and caregivers of care recipients may qualify even if earning under S$500, subject to rules in CPF’s FAQs and calculators.
How much you will receive
Employees
- Age-tiered amounts: workers in their 50s and 60s and PWDs receive the highest support, culminating in up to S$4,900 a year.
- Split is typically 40% cash / 60% CPF, so you get immediate help while still growing retirement savings.
- Use the Employee WIS Calculator (Work Year 2025) to estimate your monthly payout from your GMI.
Self-Employed Persons (SEPs), including PWDs
- Maximum annual payout is S$3,267 at the top age/PWD tiers.
- Payout composition leans heavily to MediSave (e.g., 90% MediSave / 10% cash on SupportGoWhere’s summary), reinforcing healthcare adequacy.
- To qualify for the year, you must declare income to IRAS and make required MediSave contributions by 31 March of the following year.
When and how payments are made
- Employees: WIS is assessed automatically from the CPF contributions your employer submits. It is paid monthly, usually two months after the work month (e.g., January work is paid in March).
- SEPs: WIS is paid annually after you have declared net trade income and contributed MediSave by the deadline. From Work Year 2025, platform workers (e.g., point-to-point and delivery platforms) move to monthly payouts, as CPF is submitted each month by platform operators.
Payment modes (cash portion):
- PayNow–NRIC (fastest), 2) Bank transfer to a registered account if you do not have PayNow–NRIC, 3) GovCash via Singpass if no bank account is on file. Keep your banking details updated to avoid delays.
What to do to ensure a smooth claim
- Employees: Check that your employer submits CPF correctly and on time. Missing or late contributions delay WIS. If records look wrong, raise it promptly.
- SEPs: Declare your income to IRAS and complete MediSave contributions by 31 March of the following year; otherwise your payout can be reduced or delayed. Keep receipts and IRAS acknowledgements.
- All workers: Link PayNow–NRIC and verify your bank account on government e-services so your cash portion arrives without manual steps.
- Use the official calculators to estimate monthly (employees) or annual (SEP) payouts and to monitor the S$500–S$3,000 income band across variable months.
Frequently asked questions
1) Is S$3,267 the maximum Workfare payout for everyone in 2025?
No. S$3,267 is the maximum for self-employed persons (including PWDs) under the 2025 tables. Employees at the highest age/PWD tier can receive up to S$4,900. Check the CPF Board’s page and calculator for your exact age/income combination.
2) What income qualifies in 2025?
Generally S$500–S$3,000 monthly income (employees: GMI; SEPs: net trade income). The new S$3,000 cap applies from Work Year 2025.
3) Do platform workers get monthly Workfare now?
Yes. From 2025, eligible platform workers receive monthly WIS (operators deduct and submit CPF monthly).
4) When will I be paid?
Employees: monthly, two months after the work month. SEPs: annually after filing and MediSave.
5) How will I get the cash portion?
Priority is PayNow–NRIC, then bank transfer to your registered account; if neither is set up, GovCash applies.
6) Where can I confirm my entitlement?
Use CPF’s Workfare calculators and read the enhancements and eligibility pages on the CPF site.
Conclusion
The 2025 Workfare upgrade delivers stronger, more timely support to lower-wage Singaporeans. If you are self-employed (including PWDs), the enhanced S$3,267 maximum helps build MediSave and offers a cash top-up; if you are an employee, your maximum rises to S$4,900, with a larger share flowing into CPF for long-term security. Keep your income within the S$500–S$3,000 band, ensure timely CPF or MediSave is made, and set up PayNow–NRIC so your cash arrives without delay. With these 2025 rules, Workfare continues to balance immediate relief and future readiness and the official calculators make it easy to see what you will receive.
