In 2025, the Singaporean government is still holding true to its promise of helping lower income workers under the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme, which will now extend to self-employed individuals.
The self-employed population, always on a kind of comparative insecurity of earning with limited access to the benefits of formal employment, are to be offered Workfare payouts of up to $2,800 for a year. The payments are intended to supplement income while encouraging savings for retirement among those who regularly contribute to their CPF MediSave accounts. The article below describes how the scheme works, who qualifies under the scheme, and how to apply.
Overview of Workfare Income Supplement Scheme
It is targeted to uplift the lower-wage workers, assist them earn a little extra, and to maintain a forced saving scheme for their own future. On the other hand, Workfare Income Supplement scheme turns away self-employed persons in a sense, since they can keep on contributing to the CPF regularly and thus wage inequalities get slowly reduced by supporting these important sectors.
An increasing number of individuals engaged in self-employment-from delivery riders to freelancers and small business owners-makes the enhanced payout of up to $2,800 in 2025 a timely financial incentive.
Eligibility Criteria for Self-Employed Persons
For this group of people to be considered eligible for the 2025 Workfare payout, a self-employed individual must be a Singapore citizen aged thirty years and above. Another consideration is the fact that the annual Net Trade Income cannot be above $25,000, while they must also make mandatory CPF MediSave contributions as prescribed by the law.
These persons must not be full-time employees for the major part of the assessment year while they should have actively engaged in self-employment as their sole income-generating endeavor. Meanwhile, another requirement includes that they do not possess more than one property, as well as that their spouse must not have a high-income capacity which would disqualify for the maximization of benefits.
Method of Distribution of $2,800 Payout
The payout of $2,800 is in cash and CPF contributions. Half is credited directly into the individual’s CPF MediSave account to help them with long-term healthcare needs, and the remaining cash is paid into their bank account quarterly. The payout varies according to declared income and regularity of CPF contribution. Those self-employed workers who maintain regular CPF contributions and declare their income as early as possible in the assessment year stand to receive maximum benefits.
Workfare Support Application Procedures and Receipt
Self-employed persons can declare their incomes through IRAS myTax Portal or Singpass. Once that is declared, CPF Board will automatically do an assessment of eligibility via CPF contributions. There is no need to submit a separate application for Workfare. However, it is strongly recommended that persons speedily contribute to their MediSave early in the year to avoid delays in remit. CPF Board will then give notice of the beneficiaries and amounts approved, and the status of Workfare can be traced by the recipients.