The Singapore government is giving a major boost to lower-wage workers in 2025 through the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme. Older workers and persons with disabilities can now receive up to $3,267 a year, making it easier to manage everyday expenses while also saving for the future. This change is part of the government’s ongoing effort to support steady employment and long-term retirement security for Singaporeans.
What the Workfare Income Supplement Does
The Workfare Income Supplement was introduced in 2007 to help workers who earn lower wages. It gives immediate cash support while also helping people save for the future. Part of the payout goes into a worker’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) or MediSave account, which can be used for retirement or healthcare needs. The idea behind WIS is simple. It helps workers right away with cash while also encouraging them to save so they are more secure later in life. Over the years, it has become an important program for many Singaporeans.
What’s New in 2025
In Budget 2024, the government announced updates to the WIS scheme. The biggest change is the higher maximum payout for older workers and persons with disabilities, which now reaches $3,267 annually. Income limits have also been adjusted. To qualify, a worker’s monthly income should be between $500 and $3,000. Self-employed workers continue to receive about two-thirds of what employees get, as long as they make the necessary MediSave contributions and report their income properly.
Who Can Receive the Payout
The rules for employees and self-employed people are similar but have some differences. For employees, you must be a Singapore citizen aged 30 or above, although persons with disabilities can qualify at any age. Your monthly income must be between $500 and $3,000. You should not own more than one property, and the property’s annual value must not exceed $21,000. If you are married, your spouse’s annual income should not exceed $70,000.
Self-employed workers need to meet the same citizenship and age rules. Their net trade income should also fall between $500 and $3,000. They must declare their income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and make MediSave contributions by March 31 of the following year. Property and spouse income rules are the same as for employees.
How Much Workers Will Get
The amount a worker receives depends on age and income. Younger workers in their 30s and 40s get smaller payouts, while older workers and persons with disabilities receive the full $3,267. Self-employed workers in this group receive about two-thirds of that amount. For employees, the payout is divided into cash and savings. Forty percent is paid directly as cash to help with everyday expenses, while sixty percent is deposited into CPF to build retirement savings. For self-employed workers, a bigger portion goes into MediSave to secure healthcare coverage.
How Payments Are Made
One convenient feature of WIS is that you don’t need to apply. Employees’ eligibility is automatically checked using CPF contribution records from their employers. Self-employed workers’ eligibility is determined from IRAS income declarations and MediSave contributions. Cash payments are sent directly to bank accounts linked to PayNow NRIC or government payout accounts. If these are not available, you can receive payments through GovCash using Singpass. Employees usually get payouts monthly, two months after the work month. Self-employed workers receive payments annually, once income and MediSave requirements are completed.
Tips to Get Your Payment Smoothly
Even though no application is needed, there are steps workers can take to avoid delays. Employees should make sure their CPF contributions are correct and up to date. Self-employed workers must report their income accurately and meet MediSave deadlines. It’s also important for everyone to keep their bank account details current so payments go through without problems. Workers who earn varying income should track their monthly wages carefully. If monthly income goes over $3,000, it may affect eligibility. Tools like the CPF Workfare calculator can help estimate payouts and plan ahead.
The enhanced $3,267 payout under WIS in 2025 provides meaningful support for lower-wage workers in Singapore. By combining immediate cash assistance with contributions to CPF and MediSave, the scheme helps workers meet current needs while securing their financial future. Keeping track of income, CPF contributions, and bank details will make sure you receive your payment without issues. The Workfare Income Supplement continues to be a key part of Singapore’s social safety net, helping those who need it most while encouraging them to stay active in the workforce.