One of the highlights of Budget 2022 was that the Workfare Income Supplement or WIS, which was established in 2007, was created to top up the wages of low-paid workers with cash and CPF funds to encourage them to stay in employment and save for retirement. The enhancements of 2025 had already been taken into account with no other additional measures in Budget 2026, though focus on inflation-hit groups pervades the different parliamentary discussions of late-for instance, MP Jamus Lim’s call on March 3 to raise the income threshold to S$3,500. More than S$12.7 billion has already been allocated to over 1.1 million workers.
The idea of Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)
WIS will help Singaporeans get paid a few more dollars to save a little more for tomorrow. The scheme gives immediate cash and tops up CPF for housing, healthcare, and retirement purposes. Much higher payments go to workers who are older or those with disabilities; it sits together with the Workfare pillar under skills training support in Singapore.
Latest 2026 Eligibility & Payouts
Enhancements that will be effective from Work Year 2025 will be completely seen in 2026.
- Age: 30 and above (13 and above for PWD)
- Income: Total gross monthly income of less than or equal to S$3,000 (S$2,500 before enhancement)
- Citizenship: Singapore Citizen in an employment or self-employment, engaged as a platform worker full/part-time
- The structure of benefits is as follows:
- Employee: 40% Cash, 60% CPF Self-employed/Platform: 10% Cash, 90% Medisave
Maximum Annual Payouts (for Work Year 2025 onwards):
Ages 30 to 34: Salary bill up to a maximum of S$2,450, for employees / S$1,633, for the self-employed
- Ages 35 to 44: S$3,500 and S$2,333
- Ages 45 to 59: S$4,200 and S$2,800
- Age 60 or older: S$4,900 and S$3,267
Greater payouts to the older to facilitate later-life older; payments are disbursed quarterly or annually (earliest in end-April of the next year on past Work Year). Even as assistance would further lower income, there will be some top-ups to the beneficiary’s MediSave account.
Who Benefits the Most?
Low-income employees in ‘essential’ occupations, the old aged, and a gig worker from platforms benefit the most. It helps reduce income inequalities, increases CPF accumulation for long term, in turn, also encouraging employees towards constant employment. As for many workers, WIS delivers much-awaited, real-time cost relief in 2026-with a possible example for the sole individual aged 60 years and above, the S$1,700 earner’s annual income goes up from S$4,200 up to S$4,900.
How to check and get
You will find out whether you are eligible or not by the use of your Singpass at cpf.gov.sg/wis obtain an idea of the amount using the WIS Calculator in CPF site. As such, it will be auto-credited to the bank/CPF account if the person qualifies to receive the payment-no application will be necessary for most people.
Final Thoughts
Offered for another S$4,900, Workfare Income Supplement greatly promotes dignity by means of financial security. With its stable increments and calls for even wider access, introduces upskilling as well. You can even verify whether you are now eligible from the CPF portal today, as such important government support can help in stretching earnings over and helping lay down some future groundwork for a better future, thus leaving no gap. Singapore’s commitment to an inclusive growth is so evident when it comes to programs such as WIS!