The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme, introduced by the Singapore government in 2007, supports low-wage Singaporean workers by boosting their income and retirement savings through cash payments and CPF contributions.
Singapore Workfare Income Supplement
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) is a cornerstone program in Singapore’s social security system. Introduced in 2007, WIS is a broad-based initiative designed to uplift the wages of low-income workers and encourage them to build a strong retirement nest egg.
Administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, WIS provides financial support through a combination of cash top-ups and additional contributions to workers’ CPF accounts.
Who Qualifies for Singapore Workfare Income Supplement?
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) offers support to a specific group of Singaporean workers. The eligibility criteria is:
- You must be a Singapore Citizen. This program is not available to permanent residents or foreign workers.
- There are two age requirements based on your situation:
- General Case: As of December 31st of the work year, you must be at least 30 years old.
- Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities qualify for WIS regardless of age.
Income:
- Your average monthly income must fall within a specific range. For work done in 2023 and onwards:
- You must earn at least $500 per month.
- Your average monthly income cannot exceed $2,500.
CPF Contributions:
- You must be making regular contributions to your Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts. This demonstrates responsible saving habits and ensures you benefit from the additional CPF top-ups that come with WIS.
Self-Employment:
- If you’re self-employed, there are two additional requirements:
- You need to have declared your net trade income. This involves accurately reporting your business earnings to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
- You must have made contributions to your MediSave Account. MediSave is a healthcare savings account under the CPF scheme.
Property Ownership:
- You must live in a property with an annual value of $21,000 or below as of December 31st of the preceding year (increased from $13,000 in 2024). The annual value refers to the estimated yearly rent the property could fetch if it were rented out.
- Property ownership is also restricted:
- You can only own one property.
- If you’re married, you and your spouse can only own one property.
Singapore Workfare Income Supplement Amount
The exact amount you receive under Singapore’s Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) depends on two key factors:
- Your Age and Employment Status: WIS payouts are tiered based on your age group (whether you’re below 60 or 60 and above) and whether you’re an employee or self-employed. Generally, older workers receive higher payouts.
- Your Income Level: The more you earn within the eligible income range (between $500 and $2,500 monthly), the lower your WIS payout will be.
Payout structure
The WIS payout is divided into two components:
- Cash Top-Up: This portion provides immediate financial relief and is directly deposited into your bank account.Currently (as of July 2024), it represents 40% of the total WIS payout.
- CPF Top-Up: The remaining 60% of your WIS payout is channelled into your CPF account, specifically the Special Account (SA) and MediSave Account (MA). This bolsters your retirement savings and healthcare reserves.
- Higher Payouts for Older Workers: Workers aged 60 and above generally receive the highest WIS payouts.
- Self-Employed Payouts: The maximum annual payout for self-employed individuals is two-thirds of the employee payout. This amount is also deposited primarily into your MediSave account (90%) with a smaller cash top-up (10%).
Singapore WIS Payment Schedule for Employees
While the standard timeframe is two months, you can potentially receive your WIS payout earlier by linking your NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) to PayNow with participating banks. This option streamlines the transfer process.
The table incorporates the PayNow-NRIC / Bank Crediting options and the separate GovCash schedule:
| Month You Worked | WIS Payment Received In (PayNow-NRIC / Bank Crediting) | WIS Payment Received In (GovCash) |
| July 2024 | End of September (2024) | 1st week of September (2024) |
| August 2024 | End of October (2024) | 1st week of October (2024) |
| September 2024 | End of November (2024) | 1st week of November (2024) |
| October 2024 | End of December (2024) | 1st week of of December (2024) |
| November 2024 | End of January (2025) | 1st week of January (2025) |
| December 2024 | End of February (2025) | 1st week of February (2025) |
- PayNow-NRIC / Bank Crediting: If you’ve linked your NRIC to PayNow with a participating bank, you’ll receive your WIS payout in the first week of the following month (x+3).
- GovCash: If you haven’t linked your bank account or don’t use PayNow, your WIS payout will be deposited into GovCash at the end of the month following the two-month delay (x+2).
Future Enhancements for Singapore’s WIS
The Singaporean government is committed to strengthening the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) program to better support low-income workers. Some key upcoming enhancements scheduled for implementation in July 2025:
Increased Income Cap:
- The current qualifying income cap for WIS is $2,500 per month. This will be raised to $3,000 per month from July 2025 onwards.
- This change aims to expand the eligibility pool, potentially allowing more low-wage workers to benefit from WIS.
Increased Payouts:
- The maximum annual WIS payout for employees will see an upward revision. Currently, the maximum payout is $4,200 per year. From July 2025, this will increase to $4,900 per year.
- This enhancement translates to a potential increase in monthly WIS payouts for eligible workers, providing additional financial support.
Focus on Older Workers and People with Disabilities:
- While the maximum payout will increase for all age groups, the program continues to prioritise older workers and people with disabilities.
- These groups can expect to receive a larger share of the increased payouts, ensuring they benefit the most from the program.