Over 7,200 applied since April launch, but strict criteria left most without aid.

More than 7,200 Singaporeans have applied for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme since its April 2025 launch, but about 60 percent were rejected for not meeting eligibility criteria, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng revealed in Parliament on September 23.

Majority of Applications Turned Down

Between April and August, Workforce Singapore (WSG) received more than 7,200 applications for the scheme, which offers up to S$6,000 over six months to help involuntarily unemployed Singaporeans manage expenses during their job search. Only 2,900 applications—around 40 percent—were approved.

Why Most Were Rejected

According to Dr Tan, the top reasons for rejection were:

• Applicants were not assessed as involuntarily unemployed.
• Their past monthly income exceeded S$5,000.
• They had not worked at least six months in the past 12 months.

The rules, he explained, ensure that support goes to lower- and middle-income workers facing sudden unemployment shocks, rather than those who left jobs voluntarily or who had already been out of the workforce long-term.

Defining Involuntary Unemployment

The scheme defines involuntary unemployment as job loss due to retrenchment, cessation of business, dismissal, or termination caused by illness, injury, or accident. Where reasons are unclear, WSG verifies claims directly with former employers.

Exclusion of Freelancers and Contract Workers

Several MPs asked if the scheme could extend to freelancers or contract workers whose service contracts were not renewed. Dr Tan said no, noting that such workers choose whether to accept contracts despite renewal risks. The scheme, he emphasized, is intended only for jobseekers who lost work involuntarily.

Age and Demographic Trends

Most applicants—both successful and unsuccessful—fell within the 26 to 40 age group, suggesting that mid-career Singaporeans are the most affected. The government initially projected the scheme could benefit around 60,000 residents annually.

Monitoring and Adjustments Ahead

Dr Tan stressed that the scheme should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a wider support network, including the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme and Career Conversion Programmes. The government will monitor the job market closely and review scheme parameters regularly to ensure relevance. Employers have also been urged to assist retrenched workers with applications.

The Jobseeker Support scheme represents Singapore’s latest attempt to cushion workers from sudden job loss, but its strict eligibility rules have left more than half of applicants without aid. As the government weighs refinements, the scheme highlights the challenges of balancing targeted financial relief with broader labour market realities, a concern closely watched by both Singaporeans and regional observers.

Sources: Straits Times (2025) , The Business Times (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Jobseeker Support, Tan See Leng, SkillsFuture Scheme, Jobless Aid, Involuntary Unemployment, Workforce Singapore