Understanding the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) in Singapore
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) is a crucial government initiative in Singapore designed to provide financial support to lower-income working citizens. This article comprehensively answers frequently asked questions regarding WIS payouts, eligibility, and other important details.
What is Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)?
How Can I Check My Eligibility for Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)?
To be eligible for WIS, both employers and their employees must meet certain criteria, which differ for employees, self-employed individuals, and platform workers.
| Employees |
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| Self-employees |
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| Platform workers |
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For further details of the eligibility criteria, assess the official CPF Board website of the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) page.
When and How Much Will I Receive My Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Payout?
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payout schedule and amount depend on your age, income, and employment status (employee or self-employed).
Payment Schedule
- WIS payouts for employees are made monthly, with a two-month delay. For instance, the payout for January's work will be received at the end of March.
- Self-employed individuals receive their WIS payout annually, typically after their income declaration and MediSave contributions are processed.
The amount of WIS payouts depends on several factors, including the worker's age, income level, and employment type (employee, self-employed, or platform worker).
WIS Payment Amounts
Employees
| Age | Maximum Annual WIS | |
| 2022 | From 2023 | |
| 30-34 | Not applicable | $2,100 |
| 35-44 | $1,700 | $3,000 |
| 45-54 | $2,500 | $3,600 |
| 55-59 | $3,300 | |
| 60 and above | $4,000 | $4,200 |
*Persons with disabilities will receive the same amount as those who are aged 60 and above.
Self-employed
| Age | Maximum Annual WIS | |
| 2022 | From 2023 | |
| 30-34 | Not applicable | $1,400 |
| 35-44 | $1,133 | $2,000 |
| 45-54 | $1,667 | $2,400 |
| 55-59 | $2,200 | |
| 60 and above | $2,667 | $2,800 |
*Persons with disabilities will receive the same amount as those who are aged 60 and above.
Platform workers
| Age | Maximum WIS per year |
| From 2025* | |
| 30-34 | $1,633 |
| 35-44 | $2,333 |
| 45-54 | $2,800 |
| 60 and above | $3,267 |
*Platform workers continue to receive the same amount of WIS as SEPs from 2025 to 2028.
**Persons with disabilities will receive the same amount as those who are aged 60 and above.
To check how much eligible employees receive WIS, employers and employees can use the WIS calculator provided by the CPF Board. This tool allows individuals to enter their specific details and get an estimate of their potential WIS payouts.
When Will I Receive the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Payments?
Employees
Employees will receive Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) every month. The table below shows when they will receive the payments.
| If they worked in | They will receive the WIS in their bank account or via GovCash | |
| PayNow-NRIC / Bank Crediting | GovCash | |
| Jan | End Mar | 1st week of April |
| Feb | End Apr | 1st week of May |
| Mar | End May | 1st week of June |
| Month x | End of month (x+2) | 1st week of the following month (x+3) |
Self-employed
Self-Employed Person (SEP) will receive WIS once a year for work done in the preceding work year.
The earliest that they can receive WIS is in end April of the following Work Year (WY) (e.g. receive WIS by end April 2025 for work done in 2024), provided that CPF Board has received their assessed Net Trade Income (NTI) after declaring their income to IRAS*; and have contributed to their MediSave by 31 March of the following WY.
Self-Employed Person (SEP) will receive their WIS later (after April of the following WY) if their income declaration and MediSave contribution are made later. Hence, the earlier they declare their income and make the required MediSave contribution, the sooner they will receive the WIS.
*If the Self-Employed Person (SEP) receive a notification to file tax from IRAS, or if they meet the requirement to file tax (i.e. NTI above $6,000 and/or total income above $22,000), they should submit their tax returns directly to IRAS from 1 March to 18 April of the following year of assessment (YA). If no notification is received or the filing requirement is not met, they should e-File their tax returns via myTax Portal between 1 March and 31 October of the following WY.
Platform workers
As a platform worker, they will receive WIS every month from March 2025 onwards.* The table below shows when they will receive the payments.
| If they worked in | They will receive the WIS in their bank account or via GovCash | |
| PayNow-NRIC / Bank Crediting | GovCash | |
| Jan | End Mar | 1st week of April |
| Feb | End Apr | 1st week of May |
| Mar | End May | 1st week of June |
| Month x | End of month (x+2) | 1st week of the following month (x+3) |
*For work done in 2024 and earlier, platform workers receive WIS as SEPs. Please refer to the WIS for self-employed persons for more information.
How Do I Update My Bank Account Details for Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Payouts?
Update your bank account details using your Singpass to access and update your registered bank account details. Alternatively, link your NRIC to PayNow for seamless payments.
Ensure your bank account is linked to your NRIC number and is a personal or joint account with one of the three local banking groups (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB).
Can I Receive Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) If I Work Part-Time or Have Multiple Jobs?
Yes, you can receive the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) if you work part-time or have multiple jobs, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria:
- You are a Singapore citizen
- You are at least 30 years old as of December 31 of the work year
- You earn an average monthly income of at least $500 and not more than $2,500
- You live in a property with an annual value of $21,000 or less
- You own no more than one property
- If you are married, you and your spouse own no more than one property and your spouse's assessable income does not exceed $70,000
What Should I Do If I Haven't Received My Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Payout?
First, check your account details and payment dates. Then, contact the relevant government authorities through official portals or contact numbers if needed. Use official portals like workfare.gov.sg or govpayouts.gov.sg to check your payment status.
Do I Need to Apply for Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)?
No, eligibility is automatically assessed for employees based on CPF contributions. Self-employed individuals need to declare their income and make MediSave contributions, but no separate application is needed.
Conclusion
The Workfare Income Supplement plays a vital role in supporting lower-income workers in Singapore. By understanding the eligibility criteria and payment schedules, you can effectively utilize this government initiative to improve your financial well-being.
