While Singapore does not have a statutory minimum wage, the Government supports lower-wage workers through schemes such as the Progressive Wage Model, Workfare Skills Support (WSS), and the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS).
Among these, WIS plays a central role by boosting both immediate income and long-term CPF savings. With enhancements taking effect in 2026 for work done in 2025, the scheme now covers more workers and provides higher, more regular payouts.
This guide explains what WIS is, who qualifies, how payouts work, and what has changed, so you can better understand your entitlements and plan ahead with confidence.
What is the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme?
Introduced in 2007, the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) is a broad-based scheme designed to support lower-income Singaporean workers by supplementing wages and building retirement savings.
The scheme targets workers in the lower-income segment, broadly those earning in the bottom 20%, while extending some support to workers slightly above this group. WIS pays benefits partly in cash and partly into CPF accounts, helping workers meet current expenses while strengthening long-term financial security.
WIS supports:
- Employees
- Self-employed persons (SEPs)
- Platform workers
Eligible workers must meet income, age, and property ownership criteria.
WIS eligibility
You qualify for the WIS if you meet all of the following criteria, subject to your type of work.
- You are a Singapore Citizen
- You are at least 30 years old as at 31 December of the work year, or you are a person with disabilities of any age.
- You earn a monthly income of at least S$500 and not more than S$3,000 (the upper limit was previously S$2,500 for work done in 2023 and 2024).
- Your average monthly income over the past 12 months does not exceed S$3,000.
- You live in a property with an annual value of S$21,000 or below (from Work Year 2024), assessed as at 31 December of the preceding year (previously S$13,000 before Work Year 2024).
- You own no more than one property.
- If you are married, you and your spouse together own no more than one property, and your spouse’s assessable income does not exceed S$70,000 for the preceding Year of Assessment.
Notes by worker type
Employees
- Gross monthly income includes basic salary and additional wages such as overtime pay, commissions, and bonuses.
- Average monthly income is calculated as total income earned over the past 12 months divided by the number of months worked.
- WIS assessment is automatic when employers submit CPF contributions.
Self-employed persons (SEPs)
- Monthly income refers to average income, based on declared net trade income (NTI).
- You must declare NTI to IRAS and make your MediSave contributions in full to qualify.
Platform workers
- Monthly income includes net earnings from platform work.
- From Work Year 2025 onwards, platform workers receive monthly WIS payouts, similar to employees, based on income reported by platform operators.
Concessionary WIS (all worker types)
You may still qualify for concessionary WIS, even if you earn less than S$500 per month, if you are:
- A person with disabilities
- A worker receiving ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance
- A caregiver of a care recipient who is medically certified to have permanent moderate to severe disabilities.
Read more: How CPF Interest Rates Can Help Grow Your Money
How WIS payouts work (including 2025 enhancements)
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) provides payouts in a mix of cash and CPF contributions to support both short-term income needs and long-term savings.
From Work Year 2025 onwards, enhancements to WIS increase payout amounts, raise the income cap, and improve payment frequency for platform workers.
1. Higher income cap and payout amounts
From 2025, the qualifying monthly income cap for WIS rises from S$2,500 to S$3,000, reflecting wage growth among Singaporeans. Workers must also earn an average gross monthly income of not more than S$3,000 over the past 12 months to qualify.
At the same time, maximum WIS payouts increase across all age groups, with older workers and persons with disabilities continuing to receive the highest support.
Maximum WIS payout per year for employees
| Age group | Work done from 1 Jan 2023 | Work done from 1 Jan 2025 |
| 30–34 | S$2,100 | S$2,450 |
| 35–44 | S$3,000 | S$3,500 |
| 45–59 | S$3,600 | S$4,200 |
| 60 and above | S$4,200 | S$4,900 |
| Persons with disabilities receive the same maximum payout as those aged 60 and above. | ||
Source: CPF Board
Notes:
- Actual WIS payouts depend on age, wages, and employment type.
- Self-employed persons (SEPs) receive payouts set at two-thirds of employee amounts.
- Platform workers receive the same WIS amounts as SEPs from 2025 to 2028.
2. Cash vs CPF breakdown
WIS payouts combine cash support with CPF savings:
Employees
- 40% paid in cash
- 60% credited to CPF accounts
Self-employed persons and platform workers
- 10% paid in cash
- 90% credited to the MediSave Account
This structure ensures immediate support while strengthening healthcare and retirement savings over time.
Read more: Maximise Your CPF Ordinary Account for Higher Returns
3. Payment frequency by worker type
Employees
- Receive WIS automatically when employers submit CPF contributions.
- Payments are credited monthly.
Self-employed persons (SEPs)
- Continue to receive WIS annually.
- Must declare net trade income (NTI) to IRAS and make full MediSave contributions to qualify.
Platform workers
- From March 2025 onwards, all eligible platform workers receive monthly WIS payouts for work done from January 2025.
- This follows the introduction of monthly CPF submissions by platform operators, including MediSave contributions.
Common questions and misconceptions about WIS
Do I need to apply for WIS?
No. If you meet the eligibility criteria and CPF contributions are submitted, the system assesses you automatically.
How will I know my WIS payout amount?
You will receive notification via letter and/or SMS closer to the payment date. You can also check via e-Services using Singpass.
Can I still receive WIS if I change jobs mid-year?
Yes. WIS is assessed monthly for employees and platform workers, so job changes do not disqualify you as long as you remain eligible.
Do part-time workers qualify for WIS?
Yes. Part-time work counts, provided income and other eligibility criteria are met.
Conclusion
The Workfare Income Supplement Scheme plays a vital role in supporting lower-wage workers in Singapore by boosting take-home income while building CPF and MediSave savings for the future. With expanded eligibility, higher income ceilings, and regular monthly payouts for platform workers, WIS now better reflects today’s labour landscape.
By understanding how WIS works and keeping up with the latest changes, eligible workers can ensure they receive the support they are entitled to and plan more confidently for both short-term needs and long-term financial security.
Read more: Preparing For Retirement: How to Maximise Your CPF Savings
