Singapore is set to launch the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme in April 2025 in a landmark gesture to help unemployed people. The scheme aims to alleviate monetary burdens for those who lost jobs involuntarily while also encouraging a proactive approach to employment hunting and skills upgrading. Approved applicants may receive financial assistance of up to SGD 6,000 in 6 months.
The payout: Breakdown of the SGD 6,000
When disbursed, the Jobs Support operate on a tier-based payout system, with progressively lower income support extended to the unemployed as the months go on to actively push the applicant into the workforce sooner.
The first month shall see SGD 1,500 paid to eligible persons; the second month shall see SGD 1,250, while the third month entails SGD 1,000. From the fourth month until the sixth month, the monthly payment shall be SGD 750.
However, payout amounts are capped according to the last drawn salary of any applicant. In this case, if a candidate were drawing SGD 1,200 monthly in the last period of employment, they would only receive this amount in the first and second month. Notably, the payouts cease once an applicant finds new employment.
Eligibility
To get JS support, specific requirements must be fulfilled. These criteria are that as of April 2025, the applicant must be a citizen of Singapore and at least 21 years old. Permanent residents who are 21 years and above will qualify from the first three months of 2026.
The applicant has to have worked in Singapore for at least six months in the year preceding the application and should not be an average monthly income of SGD 5,000 in the past 12 months.
The main unemployment criteria are the involuntary layoffs, retrenchments, closures, dismissals, or other health- or personal-property-related situations. Applicants must live in a property with an annual value of SGD 25,000 or less.
What Will Jobseekers Do to Get the Support?
To receive the financial support under the JS scheme, the jobseekers would need to comply with active requirements. They are expected to take up activities that would increase their chances of getting employment. This includes:
- Applying for jobs
- Attending career coaching sessions
- Attending career preparatory workshops
- Joining training courses
Each month, the participants must earn points through these activities. For example, in the first month, points can be earned for updating resumes, attending job fairs, using the CareersFinder tool, or meeting with career coaches. From the fourth month onward, they are required to submit at least five job applications per month to continue receiving payouts.
Are there Additional Benefits You Can Avail?
Yes, this scheme can be stacked with SkillsFuture other support programs. On top of this, jobseekers can receive a monthly training allowance of up to SGD 3,000 during 24 months for all these full-time courses under SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme.
Mid-career individuals aged above 40 will be eligible to access the Mid-Career Pathways Programme and receive an allowance up to SGD 3,800 monthly during training attachments between 4 and 6 months.
How to Apply
There is currently no scope for the JS scheme application. More details would be mandatory as the official announcement towards its launch in April 2025 nears. Keep checking the official SkillsFuture or government channels to stay updated.