Singapore kicks off points-based relief scheme for eligible jobless
With 13 qualifying job search activities, jobseekers have flexibility to do what suits their needs, says Workforce Singapore assistant CEO Lynn Ng
[SINGAPORE] The long-awaited SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme opened for applications on Tuesday (Apr 15), with jobseekers having to score activity points to receive financial relief.
Under the scheme, which is administered by Workforce Singapore (WSG), eligible jobless Singaporeans can get up to S$6,000 over six months if they meet monthly activity targets.
From the first quarter of 2026, the scheme will be extended to permanent residents too.
Qualifying activities include registering with an employment agency, attending a course listed on MySkillsFuture or networking with an industry professional.
WSG’s assistant chief executive Lynn Ng said these 13 activities were chosen to encourage jobseekers to “deepen and strengthen their job search skills”, to increase their competitiveness.
The points-based system is not meant to be restrictive, she added.
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“We want them to have the flexibility to decide (what works for them)... rather than insist that jobseekers must do ‘five things’ to qualify for support,” said Ng in a press briefing ahead of the launch.
The system also “recognises the proactiveness of jobseekers”, she added.
First foreshadowed by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in late 2022, the scheme was officially announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at last year’s National Day Rally.
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Who qualifies
The scheme is open to involuntarily unemployed Singaporeans aged 21 and above who have earned an average monthly salary of no more than S$5,000 over the past year, and live in a property with an annual value of no more than S$31,000.
They must also have worked in Singapore for at least six of the past 12 months. In a one-off concession, this requirement will not apply to applicants who lost their jobs on or after Apr 1 last year – as long as they meet all other criteria and apply for the scheme by Jun 15.
Applicants who slightly exceed the salary cap may appeal to be on the scheme, WSG said in response to queries from The Business Times.
How it works
Eligible individuals can apply via WSG’s online Jobseeker Support Portal. They must submit official documentation of losing their job, or medical certification if they were involuntarily unemployed for medical reasons.
They can also get help to apply offline at the Lifelong Learning Institute’s Careers Connect; e2i Career Centres at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability and One Marine Boulevard; ServiceSG Centres at Our Tampines Hub and Woodlands; and the Social Service Office @ Toa Payoh.
It may take up to 10 days for applications to be processed. In the meantime, applicants may start their job search activities, and upload evidence of doing so once approval is received.
WSG will be “very flexible” about how proof is submitted, said Ng. For instance, jobseekers can attach screenshots, e-mails or provide details of those with whom they networked.
The first 30-day period begins upon receiving approval. To qualify for payouts, applicants must earn at least 10 points for the first three months, and at least five for the next three.
The maximum payout starts at S$1,500 in the first month, tapering gradually down to S$750 from the fourth to sixth month.
Support ends after six months, or if an applicant secures a job – whichever comes first.
Once enough points have been earned each month, the payout will be disbursed within three to four weeks. Applicants can receive these through PayNow-NRIC linked bank accounts, Giro or GovCash.
If an applicant exceeds the monthly points target, the extra points will roll over to the next month.
If they do not hit the monthly target, they will not receive a payout. The points will be carried over to the next month, and they can continue to aim for the target.
However, the overall six-month limit still applies. In other words, if the applicant takes 60 days to earn the first 10 points, they will get no more than five payouts within the full period, instead of six.
The six-month limit was decided upon as Ministry of Manpower data and feedback from WSG’s career coaches found that a majority of jobseekers typically find employment within that period, said WSG.
Applicants must declare their employment status at the end of each month. If false declarations are made, disbursed monies will be recovered.
In response to the launch, National Trades Union Congress secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said the labour movement was glad the government had heeded its feedback, after a decade-long push to support workers affected by retrenchments and career transitions in an evolving job market.
“This is a significant first step in providing temporary financial relief for workers, including professionals, managers and executives who are involuntarily unemployed. We hope this will provide workers with relief, especially in times of increasing uncertainty,” he said.
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