In Singapore, the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme will go through significant modifications in its scope for facilitating improved income support for platform workers. These changes will take effect in 2025 and include installation of the transition from annual to monthly payments and subsequent changes in Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to benefit platform workers more as for those of traditional employees.
Key Changes Regarding WIS for Platform Workers
From 2025 onwards, eligible platform workers will receive WIS payments on a monthly basis, instead of annual disbursement, thereby offering more consistent financial support throughout the year.
Platform operators will also have to deduct monthly CPF contributions from platform workers’ earnings. This means that platform workers will be attributed CPF contributions as with those for traditional employees, thus adding to their retirement and healthcare savings.
By 2029, WIS payments will be higher for platform workers who have made equivalent CPF contributions, compared with employees, because such platforms will be providing flow that is equivalent to that received by regular employees.
Eligibility to qualify for WIS as a Platform Worker
Eligible platform workers must satisfy the following conditions:
- You must be a Singaporean citizen.
- You must be above 30 years of age by the end of the work year or a person with any age-related disability.
- Your monthly salary, including your net earnings from platform work, must fall within the range of $500 and $3,000. Moreover, your average gross monthly income for the past 12 months should not exceed $3,000.
- You must also reside in a property with an annual value of not more than $21,000 as at December 31 of the preceding year and owe not more than one property.
- If married, you must be a joint owner with your spouse of no more than one property; his cash reportable income should, however, not have been more than $70,000 in the Year of Assessment before the current.
- Special conditions apply to persons with disabilities: caregivers and ComCare recipients can still be eligible even when earning less than $500.
WIS Payment Structure
Maximum annual WIS payments are awarded according to age groups to platform workers in Singapore as follows:
- Ages 30 – 34: Up to $1,633
- Age 35-44: Up to $2,333
- Ages 45-59 represent: Up to $2,800
- Age 60 and above: Up to $3,267
- Persons with disabilities can get the maximum payout in the amount of $3,267, regardless of their age.
Distribution of the WIS Payment
The allocation of WIS payment distribution is as follows:
Ten percent added into your PayNow NRIC linked bank account, and if that is not available it will add to your registered bank account or provide you with GovCash. The other ninety percent goes into your MediSave account for purposes of your health care.
Payment Schedule
After March 2025, payments appended to the WIS will be in monthly installments according to the following timetable:
- Works performed in January will be remunerated by the end of March.
- Works done in February shall be paid within the end of April.
- All subsequent months will follow this same method of operation whereby payment is realized two months after the working month.
For those receiving payments through GovCash, disbursement will commence during the first week of the month following the scheduled payment month.
Steps for Platform Workers
The CPF Board will assess your eligibility automatically based on income information submitted by platform operators. No action required on your end.
Make sure that your platform operator is deducting the right CPF contributions on your earnings. If there is a difference, make a direct inquiry to the operator or report to the CPF Board.
These enhancements to the WIS scheme demonstrate Singapore’s commitment to providing equitable financial support and social security to platform workers, recognizing their pertinent contributions to the impact of the changing economy.