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Singapore's Workfare scheme enhancements effective 1 Jan 2023: Increased payouts of up to S$4,200

Singapore's Workfare scheme enhancements effective 1 Jan 2023: Increased payouts of up to S$4,200

At the same time, workers earning up to S$2,500/month can now qualify, up from the previous cap of S$2,300.

Singapore's latest enhancements to the Workfare Income Supplement (Workfare) have taken effect from 1 January 2023. 

First discussed in Budget 2022, the enhancements entail:

  • Higher annual payouts: Workfare payouts of up to S$4,200/year.
  • Higher income cap: Workers earning up to S$2,500/month can qualify (up from $2,300/month).
  • More younger workers to benefit: Workfare will be extended to lower-wage workers aged 30 to 34.
  • Stronger support for persons with disabilities (PWDs): All eligible PWDs will qualify for the highest payout regardless of age.

These updates supersede the first round of enhancements which took place in 2020, and had been in effect so far:

  • Higher payouts: Higher annual payouts of up to S$4,000.
  • Higher income cap: Qualifying income cap raised to S$2,300/month (up from S$2,000/month).

As such, under the latest enhancements, the maximum annual payout for employees and self-employed persons is as follows:

Age bandIf you are employedIf you are self-employed 
 30 - 34 S$2,100  S$1,400 
 35 - 44 S3,000  S$2,000 
 45 - 59  S$3,600  S2,400 
 60 and above  S$4,200  S$2,800 
All PWDs  S$4,200 S$2,800 

As a reminder, recipients must earn at least S$500/month from 2023. Those who are employed will be automatically assessed based on the CPF contributions from employers. On the other hand, those who are self-employed will be assessed after declaring their income for work done in the previous year, and making the required MediSave contributions.


 Lead image /  Singapore Ministry of Manpower Facebook

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