Eligible lower-income young adults in Singapore can now receive S$500 every quarter when they stay enrolled in education under the ComLink+ skills support pilot, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) confirmed. The initiative, launched in January, targets individuals aged 18 to 39 who are in lower-wage jobs, previously left school, or are currently unemployed.

Families often face financial strain when adults choose to upskill, including potential income loss during studies and uncertainty over securing higher-paying jobs afterward. The ComLink+ pilot aims to ease these challenges by providing support for basic living expenses in addition to the S$500 quarterly incentive for sustained education. This support can continue for up to three years, depending on the length of the course.

Scope of Supportable Courses

Eligible courses are designed to provide clear learning outcomes and improve employment prospects. They include full-time qualification courses such as the National ITE Certificate (NITEC) or Higher NITEC, polytechnic diplomas, and selected vocational courses approved by the Ministry of Education.

Examples of vocational courses covered include the WSQ Diploma in Infocomm Technology, the WSQ Higher Certificate in Healthcare (Nursing), and the Advanced Certificate in Early Years offered by the National Institute of Early Childhood Development. MSF emphasises that the pilot aims to strengthen household financial resilience while enabling adults to pursue higher skills and better employment opportunities.

Health Benefits for ComLink+ Participants

From 2027, ComLink+ participants aged 25 to 39 will be eligible for enrolment in the Healthier SG initiative. This programme promotes proactive health management, chronic disease prevention, and healthier lifestyles. Newly eligible participants will receive personalised health plans, access to select medications at polyclinic-comparable prices, and other benefits including S$20 in health points after their first consultation, and subsidies for screening tests and vaccinations where applicable.

Participants under 25 will continue to receive support through other initiatives such as Grow Well SG, which focuses on preventive care and healthy lifestyles for children. Those with more complex health needs may also be supported through the ComLink+ Social-Health Integration trial.

Incentives for Preschool Attendance

For ComLink+ families with children, the pilot provides a one-off S$500 top-up to the Child Development Account (CDA) upon enrolling in preschool before the age of three. Children maintaining at least 75 per cent attendance receive S$250 per quarter, split between cash and CDA contributions. To support families with challenges in meeting attendance targets, intermediate milestones have been introduced. Children with 50–74 per cent attendance will receive S$150 per quarter, partially in cash and partially credited to their CDA.

Updated Employment Incentives for Families

The pilot also revises employment-based payouts. Support will now be assessed on household income rather than individual earnings, recognising the collective efforts of the family. Households earning between S$1,000 and S$1,999 in gross monthly income will receive S$500 per quarter, while households earning S$2,000 or more will receive S$1,250 per quarter, with a combination of cash and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.

Combined with preschool incentives, a ComLink+ household with two preschool-aged children could receive up to S$10,000 annually by maintaining household income and regular preschool attendance. MSF emphasises that a larger portion of payouts will be in cash to ease day-to-day financial pressures, while some funds will continue to be deposited into CPF and CDA accounts to ensure longer-term household security.

Empowering Families Through Education and Skills

The ComLink+ pilot represents a multi-faceted effort to support lower-income Singaporeans in enhancing skills, pursuing education, and ensuring children’s consistent preschool attendance. By addressing both short-term financial pressures and long-term security, the programme aims to strengthen households’ resilience and improve opportunities for future growth.