SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme
The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme provides temporary financial assistance to involuntarily unemployed Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents while they actively search for jobs. The scheme uses a points-based system where participants earn points for completing job search activities (career coaching, job applications, etc.) and receive corresponding payouts when meeting minimum monthly points. This is designed for INDIVIDUALS, not companies, to support unemployed persons during their job search period over 6 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 and above
- 02
Earned average gross monthly income of S$5,000 or less in past 12 months (excluding employer CPF)
- 03
Previously employed in Singapore for at least 6 months in past 12 months
- 04
Became unemployed due to involuntary reasons (retrenchment, cessation of business, dismissals, termination due to illness/injury/accident)
- 05
Reside in property with Annual Value of S$31,000 or less
- 06
Has not received payout from this scheme in past 3 years
How to Apply
1. Apply online at go.gov.sg/jobseekersupport 2. Application available in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil 3. Individuals who lost their job on or after 1 April 2024 and are still unemployed can qualify if they apply by 15 June 2025 4. Must have been employed >6 months in last 12 months to qualify
Claims and Disbursement
Points-based system: - Earn points for completing supported job search activities (career coaching, job applications) - Payouts are made when minimum monthly points are achieved - Active job searching required to receive payouts throughout the 6-month period - Contact WSG for specific points requirements and payout schedules
Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 21+ who were involuntarily unemployed, earned ≤$5,000/month, worked ≥6 months in past 12 months, and live in property with Annual Value ≤$31,000.
You earn points for job search activities like career coaching and job applications, then receive payouts when meeting minimum monthly points.
Attending career coaching sessions, submitting job applications, and other supported job search activities.
The scheme provides support over a 6-month period with monthly point requirements.
No, you must have become unemployed due to involuntary reasons like retrenchment, business closure, or dismissal.
Related Grants
SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
Full-time: 50% of average monthly income (min $300, max $3,000/month). Part-time: $300/month flat rate. Maximum 24 months lifetime.
The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance supports eligible mid-career Singaporeans to upskill and reskill by providing training allowance for selected long-form training. It addresses the financial barriers that prevent individuals from pursuing substantial skills upgrading by offering income support during training periods. The scheme supports both full-time and part-time long-form training, allowing individuals to choose the format that best suits their needs. Full-time participants receive income-based allowances (50% of average monthly income, capped at $3,000), while part-time participants receive a flat rate to defray incidental training expenses. From March 2026, the allowance will be extended to part-time training programmes.
Workfare Skills Support (WSS) Scheme
Workforce Singapore
Training Allowance: $6/hour (cap 180 hours). Training Commitment Award: up to $1,000/year. Absentee Payroll: 95% of hourly basic salary (cap $13/hour). WSS Level-Up TA: up to $1,500/month (ages 30-39) or $3,000/month (ages 40+)
The Workfare Skills Support Scheme (WSS) provides additional support for lower-income workers to upgrade their skills and improve their employability. NOTE: Specific programme details are not readily available. This programme may be part of the broader Workfare initiative and could be affected by workforce transformation changes.
SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP)
SkillsFuture Singapore
Up to 95% course fee funding for eligible jobseekers, up to 90% for other eligible trainees. Can be combined with SkillsFuture Credit.
The SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) supports mid-career individuals in acquiring industry-relevant skills to improve employability and pivot to new sectors or job roles. This train-and-place programme is available in part-time or full-time format, typically ranging from three to 12 months, and is delivered by Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centres with employment facilitation services. Courses under the SCTP have been progressively launched since April 2022, with a target to have at least 200 SCTP courses by 2025. The programme focuses on sectors with good hiring opportunities such as Infocomm and Technology, Professional Services, and Advanced Manufacturing. It operates on a train-and-place modality with career advisory and employment assistance.
SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
Up to 90% course fee subsidy + $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) + Training allowance up to $3,000/month (full-time) or $300/month (part-time)
The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme helps mid-career Singapore Citizens aged 40 years and above pursue a substantive skills reboot and adapt to a changing economy through enhanced course fee support and training allowance. It is designed to provide comprehensive support for individuals looking to deepen skills in their current career or reskill for new opportunities. The programme combines two key components: increased course fee subsidies (Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy and SkillsFuture Credit Mid-Career tier) and financial support for long-form training (SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance). This holistic approach addresses both the cost barriers and income loss concerns that mid-career individuals face when pursuing substantial skills upgrading.
SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
Up to 90% of course fees for CET Centre courses, up to 70% for other certifiable courses
The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy recognises that mid-career Singaporeans may face greater challenges in undertaking training and provides additional subsidies to encourage upskilling and reskilling to adapt to changing job requirements. It offers higher subsidies of up to 90% of course fees for SSG-supported courses and at least 90% of programme cost for MOE-subsidised courses. This enhanced subsidy is designed specifically for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above, covering courses ranging from Nitec to postgraduate level across universities, polytechnics, ITE, and arts institutions. Eligible individuals must first qualify for the MOE/SSG base course fee subsidy to receive the enhanced rate.
SkillsFuture Credit (SFC)
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
Base Tier: $500 (no expiry), Mid-Career Tier: $4,000 (no expiry)
SkillsFuture Credit helps Singaporeans offset course fees for eligible courses that support skills development and lifelong learning to be future-ready and relevant. It is a personal credit for individuals (not employers) and is available to all Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above. The credit can be used on top of existing government course subsidies. There are two tiers of SkillsFuture Credit: a Base Tier for all Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above ($500), and a Mid-Career Tier for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above ($4,000). The Base Tier credit can be used for all courses listed on the MySkillsFuture portal, while the Mid-Career Tier credit can be used for selected courses with better employability outcomes. Neither tier has an expiry date.