In April 2025, Singapore will launch the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) Scheme designed specifically for unemployed individuals who could get up to SGD 6,000 in financial aid over six months. It is part of the government’s plan for cushioning job loss and encouraging speedy reintegration into the labor market.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must have involuntary job loss, including layoffs or termination due to closure of the business, dismissal, or medical reasons such as sickness, disease, or injury or accident.
- Someone applying should have a monthly average earning of up to SGD 5,000 during the last twelve months. The applicants must be employed for at least six months within the twelve-month period just before applying.
- To qualify, a person should prove to live in a house that has annual value of SGD 25,000 or less. The scheme applies to all Singapore citizens and permanent residents, aged 21 and older.
- Another important requirement is participation in active job searching activities. Such activities can include career coaching, participation in job matching sponsored by the government, or taking part in certain qualified training programs.
- People who have already claimed any amount under the Jobseeker Support Scheme during the preceding three years will not be eligible to apply again.
How the payout of $6,000 works
The scheme provides tiered monthly payments over a period of six months to encourage active job seeking and re-employment as quickly as possible. The payout structure is front-loaded with higher amounts for the first months and gradually decreasing thereafter.
Thus in the first month, a recipient will be getting $ 1,500, while the second month gets $ 1,250, the third month pays $1,000, and for the last three months, each recipient gets $750. Therefore, up to $6,000 shall be paid across a span of six months.
Payments are also capped at a person’s former salary and will cease immediately upon successful re-employment of the individual.
How to apply
The applications will be called in April 2025, and all the applications must be submitted at Workforce Singapore (WSG). The applicants must provide documents such as employment records and income details, as well as evidence of job searching or training.
Closer to the date of launch, all the complete details and guidelines for application will be available on the WSG site.
Why Scheme is Important
The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme is meant to give temporary financial relief while promoting rapid re-return to work. In aligning it with the SkillsFuture movement, it also nudges people in the direction of upskilling or reskilling, thereby making them more competitive in the labour market.
The pattern of decreasing payout is essentially a nudge towards employing people sooner instead of later, thus reducing long-term unemployment. In general, this policy supports a person during difficult times while strengthening labour resilience in Singapore.
With its combination of reskilling and financial assistance, SGD 6,000 Jobseeker Support Scheme is a well-balanced scheme for job opportunities in Singapore. If you believe you will be eligible, prepare to apply in April 2025 and get your documents ready so you can take advantage of this timely assistance.