Written Answer to PQ on SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme Income Ceiling

NOTICE PAPER NO. 118 OF 2025 FOR SITTING ON 14 OCTOBER 2025
QUESTION NO. 340 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Patrick Tay

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current 75th percentile gross monthly income from employment of full-time employed residents (i) including employer CPF contributions and (ii) excluding employer CPF contributions, respectively; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider raising the Jobseeker Support Scheme's $5000 qualifying income ceiling to the current 75th percentile gross monthly income excluding employer CPF contributions to support more Singaporeans involuntarily unemployed.

Answer:

In 2024, the 75th percentile gross monthly income from employment of full-time employed residents is about $8,100 excluding employer CPF contributions, and about $9,300 including employer CPF contributions. Employer CPF contributions are excluded when determining the income threshold for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme.

2. The JS scheme targets lower- to middle-income workers who are more likely to face financial constraints that may lead them to settle quickly for ill-fitting jobs after becoming involuntarily unemployed. The scheme therefore covers involuntarily unemployed jobseekers who previously earned an average gross monthly income of up to $5,000 (excluding employer CPF) in the past 12 months. This threshold slightly exceeds the median income of full-time employed residents in 2024, which is about $4,900 (excluding employer CPF).

3. Since the JS scheme is still in its early days, MOM will review the effectiveness of the scheme in helping workers re-enter employment and find good jobs. We will also assess the case for extending the scheme to higher-earning individuals.