Unemployed S'poreans can apply for up to S$6,000 temporary financial support from Apr. 15

Unemployed Singaporeans can apply for temporary financial support starting from Apr. 15, 2025.

According to an Apr. 15 press release by Workforce Singapore (WSG), lower- and middle-income individuals who are involuntarily unemployed for six months may receive up to S$6,000 in financial support via the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme.

First introduced in Aug. 2024, the scheme also aims to temporarily assist job seekers aged 21 and above in regaining employment through various job search-related activities.

Completing activities and earning points to receive payouts

Successful applicants will be enrolled in an activities-based system where they can earn points by attending career coaching sessions and job fairs, applying for jobs, or enrolling in upskilling programmes.

WSG said this system aims to help job seekers "build momentum" in their job search by guiding them on activities to develop their skills and confidence to secure their next role.

Accumulating the required points — 10 monthly for the first three months and five for the next three — will trigger monthly payouts.

Participants can begin clocking points as soon as they apply, with activity periods structured in 30-day intervals.

The flexibility of the system allows job seekers to choose the activities that best match their needs.

For instance, in the first month, individuals can receive up to S$1,500, provided they complete eligible activities totaling 10 points.

The financial support is distributed over six months and eligible individuals may receive up to S$1,500 in the first month, followed by S$1,250 in the second month and S$1,000 in the third.

From the fourth to sixth months, the monthly maximum payout is S$750.

Participants will then receive an email notification once the payouts have been disbursed three to four weeks after hitting their monthly points targets via their PayNow-NRIC linked bank accounts.

Those without such accounts will receive the payments via GIRO or GovCash.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, applicants must have been employed in Singapore for at least six of the past 12 months prior to application with an average gross salary of S$5,000 or less previously.

They must also be living in a property in Singapore with an annual value of S$31,000 or less.

However, a one-time concession allows individuals who lost their jobs on or after Apr. 1, 2024 to qualify without meeting this work history requirement, provided they apply by Jun. 15, 2025 and meet all other criteria.

Applicants will need to provide documentation of their job termination or medical circumstances, if relevant, along with past employment details for verification.

Singapore citizens may apply online at go.gov.sg/jobseekersupport, while permanent residents will be eligible in Q1 2026.

Those needing in-person assistance can approach Jobseeker Support ambassadors at several locations, including Careers Connect, e2i Career Centres, and ServiceSG Centres in Tampines and Woodlands.

Top photo via Canva