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| URL | https://lancerx.co/covid19/ |
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| Meta Title | COVID-19 Support for Singapore Freelancers and Self-Employed - lancerX |
| Meta Description | What are the measures to support Singapore's freelancers and self-employed through the coronavirus pandemic? We've compiled all of them here. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Heads-up: As of 1 January 2024, all of the COVID-19 support measures listed in this guide have ended.
The info on this page is therefore for reference purposes only. The links to the various resources may also no longer work.
Has the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit your freelance or self-employed business hard?
We feel you.
Hereâs a list of all the measures the Singapore government is taking to help everyone tide through this challenging period of time.
Weâre covering (click on the links below to skip to the relevant sections!):
Cash Payouts
$600 to $1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans
SIRS: Three $3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total $9,000)
COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to $500 per month for 9 months
COVID-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary): One-time payment of up to $500
Temporary Relief Fund: $500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19
$100 credit on utilities bill
Up to $200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC
$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients
$50 to $300 cash payment for NTUC members
US$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers
Training Support
Extra $500 SkillsFuture Credits
Training allowance of $7.50/hour to $10/hour
Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances
$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration
$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine
Courage Fund: $500 to $1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19
Business Operations
25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020
3-month income tax deferral
Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company
Medisave Contributions
Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan
Sector-Specific Support
Support for the arts community
Support for the media industry
Support for arts and media writers
Support for CCA instructors
Support for private-hire drivers
Support for the sports community
Support for tourist guides
This list will continually be updated, so keep checking back!
Cash Payouts
$600 to $1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans
As long as youâre a Singaporean and at least 21 years old, youâll qualify for $600 to $1,200 cash coming from the âCare and Support â Cashâ payout and the Solidarity Payment in 2020.
The exact payout amount depends on your assessable income for YA2019:
Assessable income
Cash payout amount
Up to $28,000
$1,200
$28,001 to $100,000
$900
More than $100,000 OR you own more than one property
$600
On top of this amount, youâll get an extra $300 if you have at least one Singaporean child who is 20 years old or younger this year.
When will you receive the money?
The first $600 will be paid to you:
By bank transfer by 14 April 2020
(if you have provided the government with your bank account details); OR
By cheque from 30 April 2020
onwards
(if you havenât).
The remainder (if any) will be paid to you from 18 June 2020 onwards.
SIRS: Three $3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total $9,000)
Heads-up: SIRS has ended on 31 December 2020.
If you still need support after that, you can try applying for the
COVID-19 Recovery Grant
instead from 18 January 2021 onwards.
Eligible self-employed persons will receive three $3,000 payouts (for a total of $9,000) under the
Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)
.
Self-employed persons aged 37 years old or older in 2020 who are receiving annual Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payments will automatically be eligible for these payouts. You will not need to apply to receive them.
If you are 37 years old or older in 2020 but are not receiving Workfare, you will also automatically qualify and receive the payouts if you meet all of the following conditions:
You started work as a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020
In Work Year 2018, you had
declared positive self-employed Net Trade Income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or the CPF Board
which did not exceed $100,000
If you are also employed, you earn not more than $2,300 per month from such employment work
(If you are married) Your spouseâs assessable income does not exceed $70,000
You (together with your spouse, if you are married) own only one property, and this propertyâs annual value doesnât exceed $21,000
âNet Trade Incomeâ refers to your gross trade income minus allowable business expenses, capital allowances and trade losses.
Can you appeal if you donât meet the above criteria?
If you are 21 to 36 years old in 2020, marginally miss one of the above criteria and are facing âextenuating circumstancesâ, you will be able to submit an appeal via
this NTUC webpage
from 27Â April 2020 onwards, 9am to 9pm daily. There is currently no deadline for submitting an appeal.
Supporting documents you will need to prepare include:
If you are a self-employed person before 1 January 2020:
Notice of Assessment for YA2020
If you started self-employment on or after 1 January 2020 and before 25 March 2020:
Proof of self-employment, such as contracts for service or invoices dated during this time period
Documents to prove financial hardship
You will generally be notified of your appeal outcome within 30 days of submitting the appeal.
As mentioned, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria but are facing valid extenuating circumstances, your appeal may be approved. Depending on your situation however, you may or may not receive the full payout amount.
Also, if your appeal is rejected, you can re-appeal
but you will still have to fulfil the same SIRS eligibility criteria as stated above (e.g. you became a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020, your Net Trade Income does not exceed $100,000).
So this option for re-appealing might be more suitable for people whose initial appeal was rejected due to a mistake in either their application or supporting documents.
For example, if they had declared their self-employed income as their employment income instead of their trade income while filing their income tax returns.
Refer to the NTUC webpage linked above for more information.
How can you receive the money?
As mentioned, if you are 37 years old or older in 2020, had declared positive self-employed income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or CPF Board for Work Year 2018, and automatically qualify for the payouts based on the eligibility criteria above, you donât need to apply for the payouts.
Instead, you will start receiving the payouts automatically from 27 May 2020 onwards. Just look out for a letter and SMS from CPF Board from 22 May 2020 that will confirm your payout eligibility.
All other eligible self-employed persons will have to submit an appeal for the payouts. See the above section for more information on this!
The $3,000 payouts are scheduled to be made in at the end of May, July and October 2020. If your appeal is accepted after end-May, you will still receive the payouts in 3 tranches.
For example, if you submit your application on 1 June 2020, you will receive your payouts in the first half of July, end-July and end-October 2020 respectively.
For more information, check out our detailed guide to the
Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) in Singapore
.
COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to $500 per month for 9 months
Note:
The application period for the COVID-19 Temporary Grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) replaces SIRS after it ended on 31 December 2020. Self-employed persons who successfully apply for the CRG can receive up to $500 per month for 6 months.
The payment is made in 3 tranches of 3 months each, i.e. the first time you successfully apply for the CRG, you can stand to receive $500 per month for 3 months. Afterwards, if you still require support, you can apply for second and third tranches of 3 monthsâ worth of CRG payments.
The eligibility criteria for applying for the CRG is as follows:
At the time of applying for the CRG, you had faced an average loss in Net Trade Income of at least 50% over at least 3 consecutive months, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2020 or 2021
You are at least 21 years old, and a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident but not a full-time National Serviceman
You own not more than one property, and the property you live in has an Annual Value of not more than $21,000
Before you experienced the income loss, either your household income did not exceed $7,800 OR your per capita household income did not exceed $2,600
You have
declared your Net Trade Income
in either 2020 or 2021, and are able to provide supporting documents on your line of work (e.g. trade licences, contracts for service, invoices and receipts)
You are able to show proof of actively looking for employment in the 2 months before applying for the CRG, OR proof of at least 2 attempts to improve your business revenue or reach out about new business opportunities (e.g.
getting new freelance clients
)
You are not concurrently receiving support from certain government schemes, e.g. ComCare or the
COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund
(
view the full list here
). If you had previously obtained the SIRS payouts, you can still apply for the CRG.
How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant
Applications for the CRG will start on 18 January 2021 and end on 31 December 2023.
Click here to submit your application.
Applications are open 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.
If you are still receiving support payments from a previous tranche of CRG payments, then you will need to wait until at least the last month of receiving such support before applying for an additional tranche.
After you have submitted all the required supporting documents, you will be notified of your application outcome by SMS in about 2 weeks.
For more information on the CRG, refer to
this Ministry of Social and Family Development webpage
.
COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary: One-time payment of up to $500
Note:
The application period for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary (CRG-T) is a supplement to the existing COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG). This grant will provide eligible self-employed persons who suffered income loss during the Heightened Alert period with a one-time payout of up to $500.
The eligibility criteria for the CRG-T are similar to those for the CRG, except that:
You should be facing a Net Trade Income loss of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2019 or 2020; and
The income loss must have occurred between 16 May and 31 August 2021.
In addition to these, you should not be a current recipient of CRG or other support schemes, such as the
COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund for private-hire drivers
.
If you have previously applied for the CRG, you can apply for the CRG-T provided that your support under the CRG has already ended. And if you need further support after receiving the CRG-T payout, you can reapply for the CRG-T, or apply for the CRG if you have not already done so.
However, if you have already received two tranches of CRG-T payouts for both June and July 2021, you will not be eligible for a third CRG-T payout in August 2021.
How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary
Applications for the CRG-T will open at 9am on 3 June 2021 and close after 11.59pm on 31 August 2021.
Click here to apply.
You may apply anytime as the applications are open 24/7.
For more information on the supporting documents required for applying for the CRG-T,
please visit this webpage
.
After submitting all required supporting documents, you will be informed of the application outcome by SMS in about two weeks. If your application is successful, the payout will be sent directly to your bank account.
Temporary Relief Fund: $500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19
Note:
The application period for the Temporary Relief Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident who has lost at least 30% of your personal income as a result of COVID-19 (e.g. you lost jobs), you can apply for a $500 cash payout under the
Temporary Relief Fund
.
To obtain the payout, youâll have to meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
The job losses occurred after 23 January 2020
Before your income was affected, either your household income did not exceed $10,000 or your per capita household income did not exceed $3,100
You currently arenât receiving ComCare assistance
How to apply for the cash payout
You can apply for the cash payout online here
using your SingPass account between 9am and 6pm. You will need to prepare the following supporting documents:
NRIC
Documentary proof that youâve lost jobs, if applicable (e.g. letter of termination of contract)
Documentary proof that youâve suffered income loss due to COVID-19. (If you have valid reasons for not being able to provide such proof, a self-declaration of income loss can be accepted)
Alternatively, you can apply in person.
To do so, fill in
this application form
and prepare copies of the above supporting documents.
Then, bring the application form and supporting documents to your
nearest Social Services Office
or Community Centre/Club.
Regardless of whether you applied online or in person, your application will be processed as soon as possible.
The $500 payout will be issued to you via PayNow if you applied online, and via cheque if you applied at a Social Services Office. If you had applied at a Community Centre/Club, you can receive the payout via cheque or PayNow.
The application period is 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020.
$100 credit on utilities bill
Every household with at least one Singapore citizen will get a one-off $100 Solidarity Utilities Credit to offset the householdâs utilities bill in either July or August 2020.
This credit applies to all households, regardless of property type.
How to receive the credit
No need to do anything! The $100 credit will be automatically added to your July or August 2020 utilities bill.
$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients
If youâre a self-employed person who received Workfare for Work Year 2019, youâll get an extra $3,000.
You must have been at least 35 years old in 2019, or a person with disabilities, to qualify for the extra payment.
When will you receive the money?
The special payment will be made to you in 2 equal instalments in July and October 2020, in the same way that you received the initial WIS payment (e.g. bank transfer or cheque).
Up to $200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC
Note:
The application period for the COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre an eligible member of NTUC-affiliated groups who tests positive for COVID-19 between 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, you can claim a one-time payout of $50 to $200 under the
COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme
.
The exact amount depends on which group you are a member of, and your period of isolation.
The relevant NTUC-affiliated groups are :
NTUC Freelancers & Self-Employed Unit (NTUC U FSE)
National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA)
National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)
National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA)
National Taxi Association (NTA)â
Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) (VICPA)
You must be a fully paid member of these groups as of 31 December 2021 to be eligible for the payout.
How to apply for the payout
Check the website of the group you are affiliated with for the application procedure. When applying, you will need to provide proof of your first ART-positive test result if your isolation period is shorter than four days.
There are a few ways of providing such proof. For example, you can provide a date and time-stamped photo of your positive ART test result, together with a copy of your photo ID.
On the other hand, if your isolation period is four days or longer, you will need to provide an electronic discharge memo from the Ministry of Health.
Your application must be submitted within 30 days of your first positive test result. However, if you tested positive using an ART test, youâre advised to apply only after 10 days of your test result.
This is in case your initial isolation period gets extended for longer than 72 hours (such that you need to provide an electronic discharge memo for your application instead of proof of your positive test result).
$50 to $300 cash payment for NTUC members
Note:
The application period for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you are an NTUC member who has suffered job or event cancellations, you may be entitled to cash relief of between $50 and $300 under the
enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19)
.
Your eligibility depends on whether you are a new or existing NTUC member, whether you have any dependants staying in the same household in Singapore as you, and your gross monthly personal income level:
Existing NTUC members
New NTUC members
(i.e. people who joined from 2 October 2020 onwards)
$300
if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to $4,500
$100
if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to $1,600
$200
if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to $4,500
$50
if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to $1,600
How to apply for the cash relief
You can submit your application for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) cash relief
via this online portal
.
The application period is 23 November 2020 to 28 February 2021. When applying, youâll need to provide the following supporting documents:
Pre-COVID-19 income document, such as your Notice of Assessment tax document for 2019
Proof that you have had at least 2 jobs cancelled or postponed, or that you were required to serve a Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice
US$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers
Note:
The ASEAN Gig Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
This grant isnât being offered by the government, but itâs so good that we thought it was worth sharing anyway!
The ASEAN Youth Foundation has started an ASEAN Gig Fund to offer grants of up to US$100 for youth freelancers in Southeast Asia (including in Singapore!)
The amount of the grant depends on how much youâve earned through gig workâASEAN will match your earnings dollar for dollar, up to US$100!
How to apply for the grant
Fill in
this Google Form
, providing details such as:
Your email address
Your self-employed vocation
How your earnings have been impacted by COVID-19
Your monthly cost of living
Your application will then be assessed. Do make sure that you provide an email address in your application, otherwise the ASEAN Youth Foundation wonât be able to contact you if youâre eligible for the grant!
Training Support
Extra $500 SkillsFuture Credits
For all Singaporeans aged 25 or older as of 31 December 2020, youâll get an extra $500 SkillsFuture Credits to spend on SkillsFuture-approved courses.
You can start using these credits from 1 October 2020. But donât take too long to use themâtheyâll expire on 31 December 2025!
With a whole range of SkillsFuture-approved courses available, from
digital marketing courses
to data analytics to design thinking, this is a good chance to upgrade yourselfâfor free.
How to apply for a SkillsFuture-approved course
Head over to the
MySkillsFuture website
to start sign up for courses of your choice!
Training allowance of $10/hour
Note:
The NTUC Training Fund (SEPs) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Self-employed persons who attend SkillsFuture Series courses, or certain sector-specific courses, will get a training allowance under an
NTUC Training Fund (SEPs)
. As its name suggests, this fund is managed by NTUC and runs from 1 May 2020 until 31 March 2021.
The
SkillsFuture Series
is a curated series of courses aimed to equip Singaporeans with skills needed to remain relevant in the future.
Course categories include finance, digital media and entrepreneurship and the courses have 3 difficulty levels.
As of 1 May 2020, the training allowance is $10/hour. The scheme will run until 31 May 2021.
By the way:
Existing NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) members will get an extra $1 per hour of training allowance. Self-employed persons who join U FSE after 1 March 2020 will get an extra 50 cents per hour of training allowance.
So for example, if a non-member will receive $10/hour in training allowance, you will get $11/hour if you had joined U FSE as a member on or before 1 March 2020.
How to apply for the training allowance
First, apply for a
Letter of Eligibility
from NTUCâs e2i. You will need to provide certain supporting documents when applying, such as your Notice of Assessment for FY2020.
Then, apply for your course using your Letter of Eligibility. After youâve completed your course, submit a claims form
using this link
. Youâll also need to submit supporting documents, such as a Training Certification Slip endorsed by your course provider.
Youâll have to submit your documents within 30 working days of completing your course, and by 31 May 2021.
The training allowance will be disbursed directly to your bank account within 30 days of submission if everything is in order.
For more information on the application process, refer to
the e2i website
.
Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances
$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration
Note:
The application period for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident self-employed person who has been to one of the countries hardest-hit by COVID-19, you may be required to serve a Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice upon coming back to Singapore.
If so, you can claim $100 per day for the duration of your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice.
Note:
you will not be eligible for this allowance if you are still able to work remotely despite being on Leave of Absence or serving a Stay-Home Notice.
For example, if youâre a freelance writer who typically works from home anyway, you probably wonât qualify.
How to apply for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance
Before you apply,
check that youâre actually eligible for this allowance first
.
Thatâs because if youâve travelled to an affected country after a certain date, you may not be eligible for the allowance.
For example, self-employed persons from the healthcare, education and eldercare sectors who travelled to mainland China are not eligible if they had travelled to mainland China after 28 January 2020.
On the other hand, self-employed persons from all other sectors are only not eligible for the allowance if they had travelled to mainland China after 31 January 2020. For more information on the eligible countries and cut-off dates, refer to the
Ministry of Manpowerâs website
.
If youâre eligible, great! After you have finished serving your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice, apply for your allowance through
this form
.
When applying for the allowance, youâll need to provide these supporting documents:
Your income tax returns or Notice of Assessment for YA2020
(to prove your self-employed status)
Your proof of travel to the affected areas
(e.g. your air ticket or boarding pass to that area)
Youâll have to apply within 90 days of serving your last day of Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice. But unless you forget, you probably wonât take that long to submit your application.
(So make sure you donât forget.)
$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine
Self-employed Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who have been served Quarantine Orders after coming into close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases can claim an allowance of $100 per day of quarantine.
To qualify for the allowance, youâll have to:
Show proof of your employment; and
Comply with the Quarantine Order (i.e. staying put at your designated location. No going out for any reason!)
How to apply for the quarantine allowance
After completing your quarantine, you will receive a Quarantine Allowance Order form.
Fill in the form and submit it to the Ministry of Health.
Courage Fund: $500 to $1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19
Note:
The application period for the Courage Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for cash relief under the
Courage Fund
if all of the following requirements are met:
At least one member of the household (including themselves) has been required to serve out a Leave of Absence, Stay-Home Notice, Quarantine Order or Isolation Order, or has been hospitalised after contracting COVID-19 before 24 May 2022
The household has a monthly income not exceeding $6,200, or a monthly per capita income not exceeding $2,000
As a result of the household member being isolated or contracting COVID-19, the household experienced at least a 10% loss in income
The amount of cash relief awarded depends on the householdâs income level after being impacted by COVID-19:
Household income per capita
Cash relief amount
Not exceeding $650
$1,000
$651 to $1,350
$750
More than $1,350
$500
How to apply for the cash relief
The cash relief can be applied for from 6 April 2020 onwards. However, you need to apply either:
Within 6 months from the end of your isolation order or hospitalisation from contracting COVID-19, or
By 24 November 2022 at 11.59pm,
whichever is earlier.
To apply, prepare the following documents and submit your application using
this online form
:
NRIC
Documentary proof that the household member was isolated or contracted COVID-19
Documentary proof that your household suffered income loss due to COVID-19
Copy of your bank statement (for crediting the cash relief to your bank account)
Business Operations
25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020
If youâve registered a company for your business, your company is entitled to a 25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020. This rebate is capped at $15,000.
How to apply for the corporate tax rebate
You donât need to.
Just file your Estimated Chargeable Income and income tax return form (Form C-S or Form C, whichever applies to your company) as per normal.
IRAS will automatically apply the rebate when you have to pay the tax.
Heads-up:
your Estimated Chargeable Income has to be filed within 3 months of your financial year end.
On the other hand, your income tax return form typically has to be filed by 15Â December.
3-month income tax deferral
Self-employed persons and freelancers will have their personal income tax payments deferred by 3 months.
This means that if you were originally supposed to pay your income tax between May 2020 and July 2020, you will now only have to pay it between August 2020 and November 2020.
The same applies if you had registered a company for your businessâyour company will have its corporate tax payment deferred by 3 months. Collection of payment will start from July 2020 onwards.
Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company
Note:
The Jobs Support Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you have registered a company for your freelance or self-employed business, and you are a shareholder, director
and
employee of your company, you may qualify for the
Jobs Support Scheme
. Under this scheme, youâll get a:
75% cash grant
for your gross monthly wages for April and May 2020 (2 months);
25% cash grant
for the same for the wages paid/payable in October to December 2019, February and March 2020, and June to August 2020 (for a total of 8 months); and a
0â60% cash grant
for the same for wages paid/payable from September 2020 to 19 December 2021 (10 months), depending on the sector your business is in.
You will be considered an employee of your company if you are have been paying yourself a monthly salary which includes the payment of employer and employee CPF contributions. This monthly salary is not the same as the directorâs fee that you may be paying yourself as your companyâs director.
âGross monthly wagesâ refer to the monthly salary paid to employees which includes the employee CPF contribution portion, but not the employer CPF contribution portion.
To qualify for the wage support:
Your company needs to have been registered on or before 20 April 2020
Your employee salary cannot have exceeded $100,000 in YA2019
How to receive the wage support
You donât need to apply for the wage support as youâll get it automatically. If youâre eligible, IRAS will mail you a letter stating how much wage support youâll be getting.
Youâll receive all 20 monthsâ worth of wage support in 9 rounds, during the months of April 2020, May 2020, July 2020, October 2020, March 2021, June 2021, September 2021, December 2021 and January 2022.
If you missed out on the April 2020 payment because the Jobs Support Scheme didnât apply to you then, this payment will be made to you during the May 2020 round of payment.
For more information on how the payment amounts will be calculated for each round of payment, check out
this IRAS webpage
.
Medisave Contributions
Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan
This only applies if you have been paying your Medisave contributions through a monthly instalment plan as opposed to in one lump sum.
Self-employed
Medisave contribution
instalment plans typically run for 12 months. But if money is tight and you need to reduce your monthly instalment amounts, you can opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan of 15 months.
How to opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan
Log into
my cpf
online services
, then click on âMy Self-Employed Homeâ on the left menu followed by âMy MediSave Contributionâ on the right.
If youâve signed up for a Medisave instalment plan, youâll see an option for you to âChange Instalment Planâ.
Sector-Specific Measures
Apart from the above measures, you might also qualify for extra support depending on which industry sector youâre part of.
Click on the relevant tab below to learn more!
Hang in There!
As of January 2024, Singapore has moved on from the COVID-19 situation. All of the COVID-19 support measures for Singapore freelancers and self-employed persons listed in this guide have likewise also been ended.
Is any support measure you know missing from this list?
Get in touch! |
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[Home](https://lancerx.co/) [The Business](https://lancerx.co/category/business/) COVID-19 Support for Singapore Freelancers and Self-Employed
[The Business](https://lancerx.co/category/business/ "The Business")
# COVID-19 Support for Singapore Freelancers and Self-Employed
### This list will be constantly updated\!
[Tan Siew Ann](https://lancerx.co/author/siewann/)
Last updated:
1 Jan 2024
[Course/Training Subsidies](https://lancerx.co/tag/course-training-subsidies/ "Course/Training Subsidies")[COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/tag/covid-19/ "COVID-19")[The Business](https://lancerx.co/tag/the-business/ "The Business")[10 comments](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comments "COVID-19 Support for Singapore Freelancers and Self-Employed")
**Heads-up: As of 1 January 2024, all of the COVID-19 support measures listed in this guide have ended.** The info on this page is therefore for reference purposes only. The links to the various resources may also no longer work.
Has the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit your freelance or self-employed business hard?
We feel you.
Hereâs a list of all the measures the Singapore government is taking to help everyone tide through this challenging period of time.
Weâre covering (click on the links below to skip to the relevant sections!):
- [**Cash Payouts**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#cashpayouts)
- *[\$600 to \$1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#solidaritypayment)*
- *[SIRS: Three \$3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total \$9,000)](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sirs)*
- [*COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to \$500 per month for 9 months*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crg)
- *[COVID-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary): One-time payment of up to \$500](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crgt)*
- *[Temporary Relief Fund: \$500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trf)*
- [*\$100 credit on utilities bill*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#utilities)
- [*Up to \$200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#c19)
- *[\$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#wis)*
- *[\$50 to \$300 cash payment for NTUC members](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#ntuccarefund)*
- *[US\$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#asean)*
- [**Training Support**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trainingsupport)
- *[Extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#skillsfuture)*
- *[Training allowance of \$7.50/hour to \$10/hour](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trainingallowance)*
- [**Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#loaallowance)
- *[\$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#loa)*
- *[\$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#quarantine)*
- *[Courage Fund: \$500 to \$1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#couragefund)*
- [**Business Operations**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#businessoperations)
- *[25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#corporatetax)*
- *[3-month income tax deferral](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#incometaxdeferral)*
- *[Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#jss)*
- [**Medisave Contributions**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#medisave)
- *[Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#medisaveinstalments)*
- [**Sector-Specific Support**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- *[Support for the arts community](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for the media industry](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- [*Support for arts and media writers*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- [*Support for CCA instructors*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- *[Support for private-hire drivers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for the sports community](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for tourist guides](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
This list will continually be updated, so keep checking back\!
## Cash Payouts
### \$600 to \$1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans
As long as youâre a Singaporean and at least 21 years old, youâll qualify for \$600 to \$1,200 cash coming from the âCare and Support â Cashâ payout and the Solidarity Payment in 2020.
The exact payout amount depends on your assessable income for YA2019:
| **Assessable income** | **Cash payout amount** |
|---|---|
| Up to \$28,000 | \$1,200 |
| \$28,001 to \$100,000 | \$900 |
| More than \$100,000 OR you own more than one property | \$600 |
On top of this amount, youâll get an extra \$300 if you have at least one Singaporean child who is 20 years old or younger this year.
#### When will you receive the money?
The first \$600 will be paid to you:
- **By bank transfer by 14 April 2020** (if you have provided the government with your bank account details); OR
- **By cheque from 30 April 2020** **onwards** (if you havenât).
The remainder (if any) will be paid to you from 18 June 2020 onwards.
### SIRS: Three \$3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total \$9,000)
**Heads-up: SIRS has ended on 31 December 2020.** If you still need support after that, you can try applying for the [COVID-19 Recovery Grant](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crg) instead from 18 January 2021 onwards.
Eligible self-employed persons will receive three \$3,000 payouts (for a total of \$9,000) under the **Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)**.
Self-employed persons aged 37 years old or older in 2020 who are receiving annual Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payments will automatically be eligible for these payouts. You will not need to apply to receive them.
If you are 37 years old or older in 2020 but are not receiving Workfare, you will also automatically qualify and receive the payouts if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You started work as a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020
- In Work Year 2018, you had [declared positive self-employed Net Trade Income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or the CPF Board](https://lancerx.co/register-self-employed-singapore/) which did not exceed \$100,000
- If you are also employed, you earn not more than \$2,300 per month from such employment work
- (If you are married) Your spouseâs assessable income does not exceed \$70,000
- You (together with your spouse, if you are married) own only one property, and this propertyâs annual value doesnât exceed \$21,000
âNet Trade Incomeâ refers to your gross trade income minus allowable business expenses, capital allowances and trade losses.
#### Can you appeal if you donât meet the above criteria?
If you are 21 to 36 years old in 2020, marginally miss one of the above criteria and are facing âextenuating circumstancesâ, you will be able to submit an appeal via [this NTUC webpage](https://www.ntuc.com.sg/sirs/) from 27 April 2020 onwards, 9am to 9pm daily. There is currently no deadline for submitting an appeal.
Supporting documents you will need to prepare include:
- **If you are a self-employed person before 1 January 2020:** Notice of Assessment for YA2020
- **If you started self-employment on or after 1 January 2020 and before 25 March 2020:** Proof of self-employment, such as contracts for service or invoices dated during this time period
- **Documents to prove financial hardship**
You will generally be notified of your appeal outcome within 30 days of submitting the appeal.
As mentioned, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria but are facing valid extenuating circumstances, your appeal may be approved. Depending on your situation however, you may or may not receive the full payout amount.
**Also, if your appeal is rejected, you can re-appeal** but you will still have to fulfil the same SIRS eligibility criteria as stated above (e.g. you became a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020, your Net Trade Income does not exceed \$100,000).
So this option for re-appealing might be more suitable for people whose initial appeal was rejected due to a mistake in either their application or supporting documents.
For example, if they had declared their self-employed income as their employment income instead of their trade income while filing their income tax returns.
Refer to the NTUC webpage linked above for more information.
#### How can you receive the money?
As mentioned, if you are 37 years old or older in 2020, had declared positive self-employed income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or CPF Board for Work Year 2018, and automatically qualify for the payouts based on the eligibility criteria above, you donât need to apply for the payouts.
Instead, you will start receiving the payouts automatically from 27 May 2020 onwards. Just look out for a letter and SMS from CPF Board from 22 May 2020 that will confirm your payout eligibility.
All other eligible self-employed persons will have to submit an appeal for the payouts. See the above section for more information on this\!
The \$3,000 payouts are scheduled to be made in at the end of May, July and October 2020. If your appeal is accepted after end-May, you will still receive the payouts in 3 tranches.
For example, if you submit your application on 1 June 2020, you will receive your payouts in the first half of July, end-July and end-October 2020 respectively.
For more information, check out our detailed guide to the [Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) in Singapore](https://lancerx.co/sirs-singapore/).
### COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to \$500 per month for 9 months
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 Temporary Grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) replaces SIRS after it ended on 31 December 2020. Self-employed persons who successfully apply for the CRG can receive up to \$500 per month for 6 months.
The payment is made in 3 tranches of 3 months each, i.e. the first time you successfully apply for the CRG, you can stand to receive \$500 per month for 3 months. Afterwards, if you still require support, you can apply for second and third tranches of 3 monthsâ worth of CRG payments.
The eligibility criteria for applying for the CRG is as follows:
- At the time of applying for the CRG, you had faced an average loss in Net Trade Income of at least 50% over at least 3 consecutive months, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2020 or 2021
- You are at least 21 years old, and a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident but not a full-time National Serviceman
- You own not more than one property, and the property you live in has an Annual Value of not more than \$21,000
- Before you experienced the income loss, either your household income did not exceed \$7,800 OR your per capita household income did not exceed \$2,600
- You have [declared your Net Trade Income](https://lancerx.co/register-self-employed-singapore/) in either 2020 or 2021, and are able to provide supporting documents on your line of work (e.g. trade licences, contracts for service, invoices and receipts)
- You are able to show proof of actively looking for employment in the 2 months before applying for the CRG, OR proof of at least 2 attempts to improve your business revenue or reach out about new business opportunities (e.g. [getting new freelance clients](https://lancerx.co/get-freelance-clients/))
- You are not concurrently receiving support from certain government schemes, e.g. ComCare or the [COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector) ([view the full list here](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant.aspx#eligibility)). If you had previously obtained the SIRS payouts, you can still apply for the CRG.
#### How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant
Applications for the CRG will start on 18 January 2021 and end on 31 December 2023.
[Click here to submit your application.](https://go.gov.sg/crg) Applications are open 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.
If you are still receiving support payments from a previous tranche of CRG payments, then you will need to wait until at least the last month of receiving such support before applying for an additional tranche.
After you have submitted all the required supporting documents, you will be notified of your application outcome by SMS in about 2 weeks.
For more information on the CRG, refer to [this Ministry of Social and Family Development webpage](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant.aspx).
### COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary: One-time payment of up to \$500
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary (CRG-T) is a supplement to the existing COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG). This grant will provide eligible self-employed persons who suffered income loss during the Heightened Alert period with a one-time payout of up to \$500.
The eligibility criteria for the CRG-T are similar to those for the CRG, except that:
- You should be facing a Net Trade Income loss of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2019 or 2020; and
- The income loss must have occurred between 16 May and 31 August 2021.
In addition to these, you should not be a current recipient of CRG or other support schemes, such as the [COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund for private-hire drivers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector).
If you have previously applied for the CRG, you can apply for the CRG-T provided that your support under the CRG has already ended. And if you need further support after receiving the CRG-T payout, you can reapply for the CRG-T, or apply for the CRG if you have not already done so.
However, if you have already received two tranches of CRG-T payouts for both June and July 2021, you will not be eligible for a third CRG-T payout in August 2021.
#### How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary
Applications for the CRG-T will open at 9am on 3 June 2021 and close after 11.59pm on 31 August 2021. [Click here to apply.](https://go.gov.sg/crgt)
You may apply anytime as the applications are open 24/7.
For more information on the supporting documents required for applying for the CRG-T, [please visit this webpage](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant-temporary.aspx).
After submitting all required supporting documents, you will be informed of the application outcome by SMS in about two weeks. If your application is successful, the payout will be sent directly to your bank account.
### Temporary Relief Fund: \$500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19
**Note:** The application period for the Temporary Relief Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident who has lost at least 30% of your personal income as a result of COVID-19 (e.g. you lost jobs), you can apply for a \$500 cash payout under the [Temporary Relief Fund](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid19relief.aspx#TRF).
To obtain the payout, youâll have to meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- The job losses occurred after 23 January 2020
- Before your income was affected, either your household income did not exceed \$10,000 or your per capita household income did not exceed \$3,100
- You currently arenât receiving ComCare assistance
#### **How to apply for the cash payout**
**[You can apply for the cash payout online here](http://go.gov.sg/temporary-relief-fund/)** using your SingPass account between 9am and 6pm. You will need to prepare the following supporting documents:
- NRIC
- Documentary proof that youâve lost jobs, if applicable (e.g. letter of termination of contract)
- Documentary proof that youâve suffered income loss due to COVID-19. (If you have valid reasons for not being able to provide such proof, a self-declaration of income loss can be accepted)
**Alternatively, you can apply in person.** To do so, fill in [this application form](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/PublishingImages/Temporary%20Relief%20Fund%20Application%20Form.pdf) and prepare copies of the above supporting documents.
Then, bring the application form and supporting documents to your [nearest Social Services Office](https://www.msf.gov.sg/dfcs/sso/default.aspx?loc=510458) or Community Centre/Club.
Regardless of whether you applied online or in person, your application will be processed as soon as possible.
The \$500 payout will be issued to you via PayNow if you applied online, and via cheque if you applied at a Social Services Office. If you had applied at a Community Centre/Club, you can receive the payout via cheque or PayNow.
The application period is 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020.
### \$100 credit on utilities bill
Every household with at least one Singapore citizen will get a one-off \$100 Solidarity Utilities Credit to offset the householdâs utilities bill in either July or August 2020.
This credit applies to all households, regardless of property type.
#### How to receive the credit
No need to do anything! The \$100 credit will be automatically added to your July or August 2020 utilities bill.
### \$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients
If youâre a self-employed person who received Workfare for Work Year 2019, youâll get an extra \$3,000.
You must have been at least 35 years old in 2019, or a person with disabilities, to qualify for the extra payment.
#### When will you receive the money?
The special payment will be made to you in 2 equal instalments in July and October 2020, in the same way that you received the initial WIS payment (e.g. bank transfer or cheque).
### Up to \$200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre an eligible member of NTUC-affiliated groups who tests positive for COVID-19 between 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, you can claim a one-time payout of \$50 to \$200 under the [COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme](http://ufse.org.sg/Pages/Details.aspx?ItemId=61).
The exact amount depends on which group you are a member of, and your period of isolation.
The relevant NTUC-affiliated groups are :
- NTUC Freelancers & Self-Employed Unit (NTUC U FSE)
- National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA)
- National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)
- National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA)
- National Taxi Association (NTA)â
- Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) (VICPA)
You must be a fully paid member of these groups as of 31 December 2021 to be eligible for the payout.
#### How to apply for the payout
Check the website of the group you are affiliated with for the application procedure. When applying, you will need to provide proof of your first ART-positive test result if your isolation period is shorter than four days.
There are a few ways of providing such proof. For example, you can provide a date and time-stamped photo of your positive ART test result, together with a copy of your photo ID.
On the other hand, if your isolation period is four days or longer, you will need to provide an electronic discharge memo from the Ministry of Health.
Your application must be submitted within 30 days of your first positive test result. However, if you tested positive using an ART test, youâre advised to apply only after 10 days of your test result.
This is in case your initial isolation period gets extended for longer than 72 hours (such that you need to provide an electronic discharge memo for your application instead of proof of your positive test result).
### **\$50 to \$300 cash payment for NTUC members**
**Note:** The application period for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you are an NTUC member who has suffered job or event cancellations, you may be entitled to cash relief of between \$50 and \$300 under the [enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19)](https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/aboutntuc/ucare/ucarefund/details?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/content_library/ntuc/home/areas+of+interest/care+and+share/u+care+fund/de4345d3-f51f-408c-9963-0d7055c9ab25).
Your eligibility depends on whether you are a new or existing NTUC member, whether you have any dependants staying in the same household in Singapore as you, and your gross monthly personal income level:
| **Existing NTUC members** | **New NTUC members** (i.e. people who joined from 2 October 2020 onwards) |
|---|---|
| **\$300** if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$4,500 **\$100** if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$1,600 | **\$200** if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$4,500 **\$50** if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$1,600 |
#### How to apply for the cash relief
You can submit your application for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) cash relief [via this online portal](https://carefund-covid.ntuc.org.sg/Carefund-Covid19/).
The application period is 23 November 2020 to 28 February 2021. When applying, youâll need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Pre-COVID-19 income document, such as your Notice of Assessment tax document for 2019
- Proof that you have had at least 2 jobs cancelled or postponed, or that you were required to serve a Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice
### **US\$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers**
**Note:** The ASEAN Gig Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
This grant isnât being offered by the government, but itâs so good that we thought it was worth sharing anyway\!
The ASEAN Youth Foundation has started an ASEAN Gig Fund to offer grants of up to US\$100 for youth freelancers in Southeast Asia (including in Singapore!)
The amount of the grant depends on how much youâve earned through gig workâASEAN will match your earnings dollar for dollar, up to US\$100\!
#### How to apply for the grant
Fill in [this Google Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQEtBVcx8QQcw-oi4bl-OKdm5vLCdtJd2FtTR6hjYS-jeGGw/viewform), providing details such as:
- Your email address
- Your self-employed vocation
- How your earnings have been impacted by COVID-19
- Your monthly cost of living
Your application will then be assessed. Do make sure that you provide an email address in your application, otherwise the ASEAN Youth Foundation wonât be able to contact you if youâre eligible for the grant\!
## Training Support
### Extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits
For all Singaporeans aged 25 or older as of 31 December 2020, youâll get an extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits to spend on SkillsFuture-approved courses.
You can start using these credits from 1 October 2020. But donât take too long to use themâtheyâll expire on 31 December 2025\!
With a whole range of SkillsFuture-approved courses available, from [digital marketing courses](https://lancerx.co/free-digital-marketing-courses-singapore-skillsfuture/) to data analytics to design thinking, this is a good chance to upgrade yourselfâfor free.
#### How to apply for a SkillsFuture-approved course
Head over to the [MySkillsFuture website](https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-landing.html) to start sign up for courses of your choice\!
### Training allowance of \$10/hour
**Note:** The NTUC Training Fund (SEPs) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Self-employed persons who attend SkillsFuture Series courses, or certain sector-specific courses, will get a training allowance under an [NTUC Training Fund (SEPs)](https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/news/resources/resourcesdetails?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/Content_Library/ntuc/home/areas%20of%20interest/spotlight/8e1225f9-d49e-4ace-a33e-5871523ebdd3&allowDuplicateResults=false&spotlightkeyword=FEATURES_COVID19). As its name suggests, this fund is managed by NTUC and runs from 1 May 2020 until 31 March 2021.
The [SkillsFuture Series](https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/series) is a curated series of courses aimed to equip Singaporeans with skills needed to remain relevant in the future.
Course categories include finance, digital media and entrepreneurship and the courses have 3 difficulty levels.
As of 1 May 2020, the training allowance is \$10/hour. The scheme will run until 31 May 2021.
**By the way:** Existing NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) members will get an extra \$1 per hour of training allowance. Self-employed persons who join U FSE after 1 March 2020 will get an extra 50 cents per hour of training allowance.
So for example, if a non-member will receive \$10/hour in training allowance, you will get \$11/hour if you had joined U FSE as a member on or before 1 March 2020.
#### How to apply for the training allowance
First, apply for a [Letter of Eligibility](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/sep2020-applications-form/) from NTUCâs e2i. You will need to provide certain supporting documents when applying, such as your Notice of Assessment for FY2020.
Then, apply for your course using your Letter of Eligibility. After youâve completed your course, submit a claims form [using this link](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/sep2020-claim-form/). Youâll also need to submit supporting documents, such as a Training Certification Slip endorsed by your course provider.
Youâll have to submit your documents within 30 working days of completing your course, and by 31 May 2021.
The training allowance will be disbursed directly to your bank account within 30 days of submission if everything is in order.
For more information on the application process, refer to [the e2i website](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/).
## Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances
### \$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration
**Note:** The application period for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident self-employed person who has been to one of the countries hardest-hit by COVID-19, you may be required to serve a Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice upon coming back to Singapore.
If so, you can claim \$100 per day for the duration of your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice.
**Note:** you will not be eligible for this allowance if you are still able to work remotely despite being on Leave of Absence or serving a Stay-Home Notice.
For example, if youâre a freelance writer who typically works from home anyway, you probably wonât qualify.
#### How to apply for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance
Before you apply, **check that youâre actually eligible for this allowance first**.
Thatâs because if youâve travelled to an affected country after a certain date, you may not be eligible for the allowance.
For example, self-employed persons from the healthcare, education and eldercare sectors who travelled to mainland China are not eligible if they had travelled to mainland China after 28 January 2020.
On the other hand, self-employed persons from all other sectors are only not eligible for the allowance if they had travelled to mainland China after 31 January 2020. For more information on the eligible countries and cut-off dates, refer to the [Ministry of Manpowerâs website](https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/).
If youâre eligible, great! After you have finished serving your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice, apply for your allowance through [this form](https://www.mom.gov.sg/apply-loasp-sep).
When applying for the allowance, youâll need to provide these supporting documents:
- **Your income tax returns or Notice of Assessment for YA2020** (to prove your self-employed status)
- **Your proof of travel to the affected areas** (e.g. your air ticket or boarding pass to that area)
Youâll have to apply within 90 days of serving your last day of Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice. But unless you forget, you probably wonât take that long to submit your application.
(So make sure you donât forget.)
### \$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine
Self-employed Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who have been served Quarantine Orders after coming into close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases can claim an allowance of \$100 per day of quarantine.
To qualify for the allowance, youâll have to:
- Show proof of your employment; and
- Comply with the Quarantine Order (i.e. staying put at your designated location. No going out for any reason!)
#### How to apply for the quarantine allowance
After completing your quarantine, you will receive a Quarantine Allowance Order form.
Fill in the form and submit it to the Ministry of Health.
### **Courage Fund: \$500 to \$1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19**
**Note:** The application period for the Courage Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for cash relief under the [Courage Fund](https://www.ncss.gov.sg/thecouragefund) if all of the following requirements are met:
- At least one member of the household (including themselves) has been required to serve out a Leave of Absence, Stay-Home Notice, Quarantine Order or Isolation Order, or has been hospitalised after contracting COVID-19 before 24 May 2022
- The household has a monthly income not exceeding \$6,200, or a monthly per capita income not exceeding \$2,000
- As a result of the household member being isolated or contracting COVID-19, the household experienced at least a 10% loss in income
The amount of cash relief awarded depends on the householdâs income level after being impacted by COVID-19:
| **Household income per capita** | **Cash relief amount** |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding \$650 | \$1,000 |
| \$651 to \$1,350 | \$750 |
| More than \$1,350 | \$500 |
#### How to apply for the cash relief
The cash relief can be applied for from 6 April 2020 onwards. However, you need to apply either:
- Within 6 months from the end of your isolation order or hospitalisation from contracting COVID-19, or
- By 24 November 2022 at 11.59pm,
whichever is earlier.
To apply, prepare the following documents and submit your application using [this online form](http://go.gov.sg/tcf):
- NRIC
- Documentary proof that the household member was isolated or contracted COVID-19
- Documentary proof that your household suffered income loss due to COVID-19
- Copy of your bank statement (for crediting the cash relief to your bank account)
## Business Operations
### 25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020
If youâve registered a company for your business, your company is entitled to a 25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020. This rebate is capped at \$15,000.
#### How to apply for the corporate tax rebate
You donât need to.
Just file your Estimated Chargeable Income and income tax return form (Form C-S or Form C, whichever applies to your company) as per normal.
IRAS will automatically apply the rebate when you have to pay the tax.
**Heads-up:** your Estimated Chargeable Income has to be filed within 3 months of your financial year end.
On the other hand, your income tax return form typically has to be filed by 15 December.
### 3-month income tax deferral
Self-employed persons and freelancers will have their personal income tax payments deferred by 3 months.
This means that if you were originally supposed to pay your income tax between May 2020 and July 2020, you will now only have to pay it between August 2020 and November 2020.
The same applies if you had registered a company for your businessâyour company will have its corporate tax payment deferred by 3 months. Collection of payment will start from July 2020 onwards.
### Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company
**Note:** The Jobs Support Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you have registered a company for your freelance or self-employed business, and you are a shareholder, director *and* employee of your company, you may qualify for the [Jobs Support Scheme](https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/jobs-support-scheme-\(jss\)). Under this scheme, youâll get a:
- **75% cash grant** for your gross monthly wages for April and May 2020 (2 months);
- **25% cash grant** for the same for the wages paid/payable in October to December 2019, February and March 2020, and June to August 2020 (for a total of 8 months); and a
- **0â60% cash grant** for the same for wages paid/payable from September 2020 to 19 December 2021 (10 months), depending on the sector your business is in.
You will be considered an employee of your company if you are have been paying yourself a monthly salary which includes the payment of employer and employee CPF contributions. This monthly salary is not the same as the directorâs fee that you may be paying yourself as your companyâs director.
âGross monthly wagesâ refer to the monthly salary paid to employees which includes the employee CPF contribution portion, but not the employer CPF contribution portion.
To qualify for the wage support:
- Your company needs to have been registered on or before 20 April 2020
- Your employee salary cannot have exceeded \$100,000 in YA2019
#### How to receive the wage support
You donât need to apply for the wage support as youâll get it automatically. If youâre eligible, IRAS will mail you a letter stating how much wage support youâll be getting.
Youâll receive all 20 monthsâ worth of wage support in 9 rounds, during the months of April 2020, May 2020, July 2020, October 2020, March 2021, June 2021, September 2021, December 2021 and January 2022.
If you missed out on the April 2020 payment because the Jobs Support Scheme didnât apply to you then, this payment will be made to you during the May 2020 round of payment.
For more information on how the payment amounts will be calculated for each round of payment, check out [this IRAS webpage](https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/jobs-support-scheme-\(jss\)#title4).
## Medisave Contributions
### Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan
This only applies if you have been paying your Medisave contributions through a monthly instalment plan as opposed to in one lump sum.
Self-employed [Medisave contribution](https://lancerx.co/cpf-contributions-101-singapore-freelancers/) instalment plans typically run for 12 months. But if money is tight and you need to reduce your monthly instalment amounts, you can opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan of 15 months.
#### How to opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan
Log into [*my cpf* online services](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/login/qr-code), then click on âMy Self-Employed Homeâ on the left menu followed by âMy MediSave Contributionâ on the right.
If youâve signed up for a Medisave instalment plan, youâll see an option for you to âChange Instalment Planâ.
## Sector-Specific Measures
Apart from the above measures, you might also qualify for extra support depending on which industry sector youâre part of.
Click on the relevant tab below to learn more\!
[Support for the arts community]()
#### Up to \$50,000 per project
**Note:** The application period for the Self-Employed Person Grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
A new Self-Employed Person Grant will offer Singapore citizen and Permanent Resident freelancers in the arts and culture sector up to \$50,000 per project.
The grant will prioritise projects that impact the arts self-employed persons landscape, and/or contribute to the sustainability of self-employed personâs livelihoods.
##### **How to apply for the Self-Employed Person Grant**
You can submit your application using [this form](https://form.gov.sg/#!/60c02be9258aae0011a97120) from 15 June 2021 to 1 September 2021, 5pm Singapore time.
You will need to upload completed copies of documents such as the [SEPG Proposal Template](https://www.artsresourcehub.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/sepg-project-proposal-template-core-project-team.docx?sfvrsn=531254cc_0) and [SEPG Budget Template](https://www.artsresourcehub.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/sepg-budget-template.xlsx?sfvrsn=943fe787_0) when submitting your application. **The application must be completed** **in one sitting.**
There are **three application windows** and the results for each window will be released approximately within five weeks after each closing date. All projects should be completed by **31 March 2022.**
For more information on the Self-Employed Person Grant, [refer to this Arts Resource Hub webpage](https://www.artsresourcehub.gov.sg/opportunities/self-employed-person-\(sep\)-grant).
#### Training grants of up to \$1,000
**Note:** The application period for this grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Arts self-employed persons who are Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for up to a 90% subsidy of their training fees, including a training allowance of \$10/hour under the Capability Development Scheme for the Arts.
**The total amount of funding that you can receive is capped at \$1,000.**
The training has to take place between 16 March 2020 and 31 March 2021, and priority will be given to applicants going for training in the areas such as:
- Digital technology for art-making and outreach
- Audience engagement
- Entrepreneurship
##### How to apply for the grant
To apply for the grant, submit the [application form](https://www.nac.gov.sg/dam/jcr:a528b822-2b11-4e13-addf-aed75fda1314) to the Capability Development Scheme for the Arts department of the National Arts Council. You can do so by email ([cdsa@nac.gov.sg](mailto:cdsa@nac.gov.sg)) or snail mail.
Youâll need to include the following in your application:
- [Budget Form](https://www.nac.gov.sg/dam/jcr:6b2420f1-ac40-4820-ab2f-68b5ff068870)
- Proof of course registration and cost
- Proof of self-employed status (as seen from your CPF or IRAS statements) OR Proof of your sole proprietorship status (as seen from your ACRA registration)
- CV with your arts achievements, including at least one public arts event that was held in Singapore in the last 12 months
The grant has to be applied for between 16 March and 14 September 2020, 5pm. You can also submit up to 2 applications, and each application can include multiple programmes.
For more information, check out these [guidelines on the Capability Development Scheme for the Arts](https://www.nac.gov.sg/dam/jcr:53a40cf0-3d8e-4836-8381-41d2396270bb) and this [National Arts Council webpage](https://www.nac.gov.sg/whatwedo/support/sustaining-the-arts-during-covid-19/acrp.html#CDSA).
#### \$500 cash grant
**Note:** The application period for this grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
This grant isnât being offered by the government, but itâs so good that we thought it was worth sharing anyway\!
Singaporean and Permanent Resident arts freelancers who had projects cancelled or postponed can apply for a one \$500 cash grant per household under a [Pasar Glamour Art Aid](https://rayofhope.sg/campaign/pasarglamourartaid/) emergency relief fund started by pop-up event Pasar Glamour.
Pasar Glamour states that it is:
> âspecifically looking to help those working primarily in âliveâ theatre, dance, and music, who were engaged for projects that were unexpectedly cancelled or postponedâ
Unlike the other support measures, there is also **no guarantee that youâll receive the money** after applying for it. Freelancers with more urgent or greater financial needs will be prioritised.
##### How to apply for the cash grant
Submit your application via this [Google Form](https://forms.gle/ojfSaHP7rT1ViH2D9) by 24 April 2020, 2359 hours.
When applying, youâll need to provide the following information:
- Your personal details such as job role and bank account number
- Proof of at least one paid performing arts project between July 2019 and January 2020 (e.g. contracts)
- Proof of income loss due to COVID-19 (e.g. cancellation or postponement notices)
- Written reasons on why you need the cash (e.g. urgent medical bills or essential expenses that canât be delayed)
- Number of dependants in your household that rely on your income, and their personal details
- Latest bank statement
- Whether you are currently eligible for other financial assistance schemes, such as the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme
You will be informed of your application status by mid-May.
#### Digital Presentation Grant for the Arts (DPG)
**Note:** The application period for this grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The National Arts Council is inviting arts practitioners (including self-employed persons) to present their work in digital form.
When doing so, you will be able to apply for a grant of up to \$20,000 per project. Your project has to be completed by 31 March 2021.
##### How to apply for the grant
You can submit your application for this grant using [this form](https://go.gov.sg/dpg2020). The application period is 14 April to 14 September 2020 at 5pm.
For more information (including the supporting documents to be provided), check out [this National Arts Council webpage](https://www.nac.gov.sg/whatwedo/support/sustaining-the-arts-during-covid-19/acrp.html).
#### Ask NAC Engagement Sessions
**Note:** The engagement sessions period has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre an arts self-employed person, you can RSVP for an engagement session with the National Arts Council on 20 and 21 April 2020 from 11am to 1pm. For more information, check out [this National Arts Council webpage](https://www.nac.gov.sg/whatwedo/support/sustaining-the-arts-during-covid-19/acrp.html).
[Support for the media industry]()
#### \$300 to \$500 cash grant for SAMPP members
Members of the Singapore Association of Motion Picture Professionals (SAMPP) can apply for a \$300 to \$500 cash grant from the [SAMPP COVID-19 Relief Fund](https://www.sampp.org.sg/covid-19-relief-fund/).
If youâre not already a member, you can apply for membership before applying for the grant. The membership fee has been waived until the end of 2020.
Applying does not guarantee a payout. As funds are limited, applications from the following categories of people will be prioritised:
- Those struggling with daily living costs, such as food and housing
- Those struggling with medical and health costs in the family
- Those with dependants who will be affected by the income loss
- Families where both income earners have been hit hard by COVID-19
Apart from this \$300 to \$500 cash grant, current active members who registered before 1 April 2020 will also get a cash grant equal to their last-paid membership fee. This effectively gives you a refund of your last-paid membership fee.
##### How to apply for the grant
To apply for the cash grant, fill in [this online form](https://forms.gle/Uw621e7GJvNEoBXm6) and email your supporting documents to admin@sampp.org.sg with âSAMPP COVID-19 RELIEF FUND APPLICATIONâ as your email subject.
Your supporting documents will need to include:
- Two referees who can vouch that you work in the media industry, if needed
- Proof of original income (before COVID-19), e.g. Notice of Assessment or invoices
- Proof of job/income loss, e.g. WhatsApp messages about job cancellation
[Support for arts and media writers]()
#### USD\$200 cash grant
**Note:** The Singapore Unbound Relief Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
This grant isnât being offered by the government, but itâs so good that we thought it was worth sharing anyway\!
Writers who are Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for a USD\$200 cash grant from the [Singapore Unbound Relief Fund (SURF)](https://singaporeunbound.org/opportunities).
This cash grant is open to arts and media writers, such as:
- Screenwriters
- Songwriters
- Journalists and art reviewers
- Fiction, non-fiction and poetry writers
Academic work, technical manual and commercial copy writers are not eligible for this grant.
Writers must also be in âdire need of immediate helpâ. The cash grant is ânot for writers who have lost work temporarily but who have other resources available.â
##### How to apply for the cash grant
Write to Jee at jkoh@singaporeunbound.org, including the following in your email:
- How COVID-19 resulted in a loss of income for you (including supporting documents such as emails about the cancellation of gigs)
- Brief but current writing and publication resume
- Proof of Singapore citizenship or permanent residency status
- Your Venmo or PayPal handle
[Support for CCA instructors]()
#### Restructuring of existing school contracts
Self-employed CCA instructors and coaches engaged by schools will have the option of receiving 40% of their annual contract value before completing work on them.
This amount is capped at \$3,000 per instructor and will be paid out in June and November 2020.
CCA instructors and coaches will also be able to extend their contracts to until December 2021, so they have more time to fulfil their contractual obligations.
##### How to restructure the contract
Eligible instructors and coaches will be contacted by their respective schools with more information from 25 May 2020 onwards.
Questions should be submitted to the school directly from 25 May 2020 onwards, or through [this Ministry of Education webpage](https://www.moe.gov.sg/programmes/cca/).
[Support for private-hire drivers]()
**Note:** The NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
#### Up to \$650 payout for freelance drivers and riders
Under the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme, NTUC is offering a new one-time payout for freelance limousine, combi-bus drivers and delivery drivers and riders who are members of either the:
- National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), or the
- National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA).
Each rider can **receive up to \$650** and applications are open from 21 June 2021 until 25 July 2021.
More information on the relief scheme (including how to apply) may be found [on this NTUC webpage](http://ufse.org.sg/Pages/reliefscheme.aspx).
#### COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund
**Note:** The COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Under the [COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund](https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/industry_innovations/industry_matters/LTA's%20Measures%20for%20COVID-19/COVID-19_driver_relief_fund.html) (and its various extensions), private-hire drivers will stand to receive:
- \$20 per day for the first 90 days between 18 January and 16 July 2021
- \$15 per day for the last 90 days between 18 January and 16 July 2021
- An extra \$10 per vehicle per day from 16 May to 29 June 2021
- \$10 per day from 17 July 2021 to 21 July 2021
- \$20 per day from 22 July 2021 to 31 Aug 2021
- \$15 per day for the whole of September 2021
- \$10 per vehicle per day for 31 days from October 2021 and \$5 per vehicle per day for the next 30 days
- \$10 per vehicle per day from November 2021 (which includes the \$5 per vehicle per day mentioned in the previous bullet point), and \$5 per vehicle per day for the next 31 days
- \$10 per vehicle per day for 31 days from December 2021 (which includes the \$5 per vehicle per day mentioned in the previous bullet point), and \$5 per vehicle per day for the next 31 days
##### How to obtain the relief
Drivers who had previously received the Special Relief (see next section) will automatically receive the relief under the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund from January 2021 onwards.
If you do not qualify for the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund, you can try applying for the [COVID-19 Recovery Grant](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crg) instead.
#### Special Relief: Daily cash relief
**Note:** The Special Relief has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The government is providing private-hire drivers with Special Relief of \$10 per vehicle per day.
The private-hire operators (e.g. Grab and Gojek) will also be matching this sum, so eligible private-hire drivers will receive **\$20 per vehicle per day**. Payments will be made weekly starting March 2020 and ending on 30 September 2020.
To qualify for the Special Relief, you must have completed at least 200 trips every month between October and December 2019 across all the private-hire apps you use to get passengers.
##### How to apply for the Special Relief
The Special Relief will be disbursed to you by the private-hire operator from which you had chosen to receive the relief.
(The window for choosing which operator to receive the Special Relief from was between 23 to 25 February 2020. You can still apply if you hadnât applied by then, but your payments may be delayed.)
Apart from this Special Relief, your private-hire operator may also be offering extra support if you meet certain conditions. Check out [Grab](https://www.grab.com/sg/safety/covid-19/driver/) and [Gojekâs](https://www.gojek.com/sg/blog/dp-wuhan-virus-sg-protection/) websites for more information on this.
##### What if I donât qualify for the Special Relief?
The application period for the Government & NTUC Driver Care Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you donât qualify for the Special Relief (e.g. you didnât clock at least 200 monthly trips between October and December 2019), you may be able to apply for a **one-off \$300 support** under the Government & NTUC Driver Care Fund.
You can choose to receive this \$300 either in cash or stored value cards. The application period for the Driver Care Fund is 18 March to 17 April 2020.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and how to apply, check out [this NTUC webpage](https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/searchresultsdetails?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/Content_Library/ntuc/home/about%20ntuc/7948d88b-e483-4964-9718-a6458a3106ab).
[Support for sports community]()
#### Sports Resilience Package
Coaches who are registered with the National Registry of Coaches can apply for a **training allowance of \$10 per hour** when taking up CoachSG courses (beyond their required Continuing Coach Education hours).
Alternatively, they can sign up to be either a mentor or mentee under the Structured Mentoring Programme. During the mentorship, mentees and mentors will receive \$400 and \$600 per month respectively.
For more information on these initiatives, check out [this ActiveSG webpage](https://circle.myactivesg.com/industry/support/sports-resilience-package) (click on âTraining Allowances for Coachesâ under the âFor Individualsâ section).
#### Sport and Fitness SEP Project Grant 2
**Note:** The application period for this grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Under the [Sport and Fitness SEP Project Grant 2](https://circle.myactivesg.com/industry/support/sports-resilience-package/sep-grant), self-employed fitness professionals and freelance coaches and instructors can submit proposals for the creation of innovative video-on-demand fitness classes.
Each applicant can submit one proposal, and those that meet the grant criteria will be awarded **up to \$6,000 per project**.
To apply, submit [this form](https://circle.myactivesg.com/cs/c/?cta_guid=3d0079d3-343b-44af-ac68-18f44d7acc1c&signature=AAH58kFkselgKLjyVsKoUqeJ-aKGYrZ54g&pageId=45743992649&placement_guid=291bc625-b37c-423f-a646-32000fbfe7a7&click=74c40d1f-c819-4996-a131-6b9309a37b41&hsutk=c7a0000015901031185c0179cd1bb5c7&canon=https%3A%2F%2Fcircle.myactivesg.com%2Findustry%2Fsupport%2Fsports-resilience-package%2Fsep-grant&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcircle.myactivesg.com%2Findustry%2Fsupport%2Fsports-resilience-package&portal_id=6212555&redirect_url=APefjpENeaqJ6-h9UHe94j4X4D3A75qV-9j2XeYa_LSI2qR5DCIfUhojSwpi_0SrGHcTUP6ejiGOr4QQN2BMmhKMFNb3o4IBQf6nCGMCGR4vFLl2zA4sfXR5A58zOgmGjovwbUX5dgX8) by 26 May 2021, 5pm. After that, a briefing and proposal training class will be conducted on 28 May 2021 from 10am to 12pm.
#### 500 temporary jobs
SportSG will be creating 500 temporary jobs for freelancers and self-employed persons in Singaporeâs sports community from now until the end of the year.
##### How to apply for the temporary jobs
The temporary jobs will be listed on the following job portals:
- [SportSG job portal](https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/Careers/Job-Listings)
- [SGUnited Jobs Portal](https://www.sgunitedjobs.gov.sg/) (available until 12 April 2020)
Check out the job responsibilities and required qualifications for the jobs listed there. If you think you might be a good fit, send in your application\!
[Support for tourist guides]()
#### \$1,000 wage support
**Note:** The application period for the wage support has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Self-employed and licensed tourist guides who are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents can apply for a \$1,000 wage support to help cover their basic living expenses.
##### How to apply for the wage support
Starting 1 March 2020, tourist guides can log into the Singapore Tourism Boardâs [Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST)](https://trust.stb.gov.sg/site/content/tagaem/landing-page.html) to apply for the wage support.
The deadline for applying is 30 April 2020, so donât delay\!
## Hang in There\!
As of January 2024, Singapore has moved on from the COVID-19 situation. All of the COVID-19 support measures for Singapore freelancers and self-employed persons listed in this guide have likewise also been ended.
Is any support measure you know missing from this list? [Get in touch\!](https://lancerx.co/contact/)
Tags :[Course/Training Subsidies](https://lancerx.co/tag/course-training-subsidies/ "Course/Training Subsidies")[COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/tag/covid-19/ "COVID-19")[The Business](https://lancerx.co/tag/the-business/ "The Business")
[share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flancerx.co%2Fcovid19%2F)[Tweet on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=COVID-19+Support+for+Singapore+Freelancers+and+Self-Employed&url=https%3A%2F%2Flancerx.co%2Fcovid19%2F&via=lancerX)
[Tan Siew Ann](https://lancerx.co/author/siewann/)
Iâm a freelance writer for some of the most amazing software businesses in the world. On this blog, I share tips on how you, too, can run a sustainable and meaningful freelance business. Letâs forge your freedom. đȘ
[view all posts](https://lancerx.co/author/siewann/)
### 10 Comments
1.  **Anna** says:
[28 Mar 2020 at 2:10 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-22)
Thank you for consolidated this information! Very clear card! đ
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-22)
1.  **Tan Siew Ann** says:
[29 Mar 2020 at 10:08 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-23)
Youâre welcome Anna, Iâm glad you found this useful đ
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-23)
2.  **Ronald** says:
[2 Apr 2020 at 4:08 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-24)
Hi Siew Ann
I hope you can update the info here when it is announced, especially regarding the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme. And thank you for consolidating all this useful information.
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-24)
1.  **Tan Siew Ann** says:
[4 Apr 2020 at 3:20 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-25)
Hi Ronald, yes Iâll be updating the info here the best I can! If Iâve missed out on anything, you can [contact me](https://lancerx.co/contact/) to let me know đ stay safe\!
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-25)
3.  **Ronald** says:
[19 Apr 2020 at 5:46 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-26)
no news from them so far?
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-26)
1.  **Tan Siew Ann** says:
[19 Apr 2020 at 9:22 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-27)
Hi Ronald, no updates on SIRS currently Iâm afraid! Last I heard, theyâll be allowing appeals from 20 April â which is tomorrow! So you might see me updating this webpage tomorrow đ
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-27)
4.  **Assif Khan** says:
[28 Apr 2020 at 9:46 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-28)
Thanks for an awesome updated list. Very much appreciated. Was looking for a way to defer my Medisave Contributions and was able to apply to pay for a lesser monthly amount over a longer period of time. Was one of google search results.
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-28)
1.  **Tan Siew Ann** says:
[28 Apr 2020 at 9:59 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-29)
Hey Assif, glad to hear that this helped you! Stay safe đ
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-29)
5.  **[Sharon](http://nil/)** says:
[11 Jun 2020 at 5:59 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-44)
Hi Siew Ann,good afternoon\!
Thanks very much for your useful infos.
I had registered a company since year 2018 but that is some complication on tax return
which I am not sure what to do to qualify for this SIRS.
Can I seek your kind advice thru phone conversation?my ctc hp: \[removed\].
Thank you very much\!
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-44)
1.  **Tan Siew Ann** says:
[11 Jun 2020 at 6:03 pm](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-45)
Hi Sharon, I have redacted your handphone number so it doesnât appear in a public space. When you say complication on tax return, do you mean that you declared your Net Trade Income as employment income instead of trade income? In this case, I believe there is an option in the SIRS application form to reclassify your income for the purposes of applying for SIRS. You can check the SIRS application website for more information on this\!
[Reply](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#comment-45)
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| Readable Markdown | **Heads-up: As of 1 January 2024, all of the COVID-19 support measures listed in this guide have ended.** The info on this page is therefore for reference purposes only. The links to the various resources may also no longer work.
Has the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit your freelance or self-employed business hard?
We feel you.
Hereâs a list of all the measures the Singapore government is taking to help everyone tide through this challenging period of time.
Weâre covering (click on the links below to skip to the relevant sections!):
- [**Cash Payouts**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#cashpayouts)
- *[\$600 to \$1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#solidaritypayment)*
- *[SIRS: Three \$3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total \$9,000)](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sirs)*
- [*COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to \$500 per month for 9 months*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crg)
- *[COVID-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary): One-time payment of up to \$500](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crgt)*
- *[Temporary Relief Fund: \$500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trf)*
- [*\$100 credit on utilities bill*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#utilities)
- [*Up to \$200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#c19)
- *[\$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#wis)*
- *[\$50 to \$300 cash payment for NTUC members](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#ntuccarefund)*
- *[US\$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#asean)*
- [**Training Support**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trainingsupport)
- *[Extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#skillsfuture)*
- *[Training allowance of \$7.50/hour to \$10/hour](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#trainingallowance)*
- [**Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#loaallowance)
- *[\$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#loa)*
- *[\$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#quarantine)*
- *[Courage Fund: \$500 to \$1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#couragefund)*
- [**Business Operations**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#businessoperations)
- *[25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#corporatetax)*
- *[3-month income tax deferral](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#incometaxdeferral)*
- *[Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#jss)*
- [**Medisave Contributions**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#medisave)
- *[Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#medisaveinstalments)*
- [**Sector-Specific Support**](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- *[Support for the arts community](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for the media industry](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- [*Support for arts and media writers*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- [*Support for CCA instructors*](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)
- *[Support for private-hire drivers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for the sports community](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
- *[Support for tourist guides](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector)*
This list will continually be updated, so keep checking back\!
## Cash Payouts
### \$600 to \$1,200 payout for all adult Singaporeans
As long as youâre a Singaporean and at least 21 years old, youâll qualify for \$600 to \$1,200 cash coming from the âCare and Support â Cashâ payout and the Solidarity Payment in 2020.
The exact payout amount depends on your assessable income for YA2019:
| **Assessable income** | **Cash payout amount** |
|---|---|
| Up to \$28,000 | \$1,200 |
| \$28,001 to \$100,000 | \$900 |
| More than \$100,000 OR you own more than one property | \$600 |
On top of this amount, youâll get an extra \$300 if you have at least one Singaporean child who is 20 years old or younger this year.
#### When will you receive the money?
The first \$600 will be paid to you:
- **By bank transfer by 14 April 2020** (if you have provided the government with your bank account details); OR
- **By cheque from 30 April 2020** **onwards** (if you havenât).
The remainder (if any) will be paid to you from 18 June 2020 onwards.
### SIRS: Three \$3,000 payouts for self-employed persons (total \$9,000)
**Heads-up: SIRS has ended on 31 December 2020.** If you still need support after that, you can try applying for the [COVID-19 Recovery Grant](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#crg) instead from 18 January 2021 onwards.
Eligible self-employed persons will receive three \$3,000 payouts (for a total of \$9,000) under the **Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)**.
Self-employed persons aged 37 years old or older in 2020 who are receiving annual Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) payments will automatically be eligible for these payouts. You will not need to apply to receive them.
If you are 37 years old or older in 2020 but are not receiving Workfare, you will also automatically qualify and receive the payouts if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You started work as a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020
- In Work Year 2018, you had [declared positive self-employed Net Trade Income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or the CPF Board](https://lancerx.co/register-self-employed-singapore/) which did not exceed \$100,000
- If you are also employed, you earn not more than \$2,300 per month from such employment work
- (If you are married) Your spouseâs assessable income does not exceed \$70,000
- You (together with your spouse, if you are married) own only one property, and this propertyâs annual value doesnât exceed \$21,000
âNet Trade Incomeâ refers to your gross trade income minus allowable business expenses, capital allowances and trade losses.
#### Can you appeal if you donât meet the above criteria?
If you are 21 to 36 years old in 2020, marginally miss one of the above criteria and are facing âextenuating circumstancesâ, you will be able to submit an appeal via [this NTUC webpage](https://www.ntuc.com.sg/sirs/) from 27 April 2020 onwards, 9am to 9pm daily. There is currently no deadline for submitting an appeal.
Supporting documents you will need to prepare include:
- **If you are a self-employed person before 1 January 2020:** Notice of Assessment for YA2020
- **If you started self-employment on or after 1 January 2020 and before 25 March 2020:** Proof of self-employment, such as contracts for service or invoices dated during this time period
- **Documents to prove financial hardship**
You will generally be notified of your appeal outcome within 30 days of submitting the appeal.
As mentioned, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria but are facing valid extenuating circumstances, your appeal may be approved. Depending on your situation however, you may or may not receive the full payout amount.
**Also, if your appeal is rejected, you can re-appeal** but you will still have to fulfil the same SIRS eligibility criteria as stated above (e.g. you became a self-employed person on or before 25 March 2020, your Net Trade Income does not exceed \$100,000).
So this option for re-appealing might be more suitable for people whose initial appeal was rejected due to a mistake in either their application or supporting documents.
For example, if they had declared their self-employed income as their employment income instead of their trade income while filing their income tax returns.
Refer to the NTUC webpage linked above for more information.
#### How can you receive the money?
As mentioned, if you are 37 years old or older in 2020, had declared positive self-employed income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) or CPF Board for Work Year 2018, and automatically qualify for the payouts based on the eligibility criteria above, you donât need to apply for the payouts.
Instead, you will start receiving the payouts automatically from 27 May 2020 onwards. Just look out for a letter and SMS from CPF Board from 22 May 2020 that will confirm your payout eligibility.
All other eligible self-employed persons will have to submit an appeal for the payouts. See the above section for more information on this\!
The \$3,000 payouts are scheduled to be made in at the end of May, July and October 2020. If your appeal is accepted after end-May, you will still receive the payouts in 3 tranches.
For example, if you submit your application on 1 June 2020, you will receive your payouts in the first half of July, end-July and end-October 2020 respectively.
For more information, check out our detailed guide to the [Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) in Singapore](https://lancerx.co/sirs-singapore/).
### COVID-19 Recovery Grant: Up to \$500 per month for 9 months
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 Temporary Grant has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) replaces SIRS after it ended on 31 December 2020. Self-employed persons who successfully apply for the CRG can receive up to \$500 per month for 6 months.
The payment is made in 3 tranches of 3 months each, i.e. the first time you successfully apply for the CRG, you can stand to receive \$500 per month for 3 months. Afterwards, if you still require support, you can apply for second and third tranches of 3 monthsâ worth of CRG payments.
The eligibility criteria for applying for the CRG is as follows:
- At the time of applying for the CRG, you had faced an average loss in Net Trade Income of at least 50% over at least 3 consecutive months, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2020 or 2021
- You are at least 21 years old, and a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident but not a full-time National Serviceman
- You own not more than one property, and the property you live in has an Annual Value of not more than \$21,000
- Before you experienced the income loss, either your household income did not exceed \$7,800 OR your per capita household income did not exceed \$2,600
- You have [declared your Net Trade Income](https://lancerx.co/register-self-employed-singapore/) in either 2020 or 2021, and are able to provide supporting documents on your line of work (e.g. trade licences, contracts for service, invoices and receipts)
- You are able to show proof of actively looking for employment in the 2 months before applying for the CRG, OR proof of at least 2 attempts to improve your business revenue or reach out about new business opportunities (e.g. [getting new freelance clients](https://lancerx.co/get-freelance-clients/))
- You are not concurrently receiving support from certain government schemes, e.g. ComCare or the [COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector) ([view the full list here](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant.aspx#eligibility)). If you had previously obtained the SIRS payouts, you can still apply for the CRG.
#### How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant
Applications for the CRG will start on 18 January 2021 and end on 31 December 2023.
[Click here to submit your application.](https://go.gov.sg/crg) Applications are open 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.
If you are still receiving support payments from a previous tranche of CRG payments, then you will need to wait until at least the last month of receiving such support before applying for an additional tranche.
After you have submitted all the required supporting documents, you will be notified of your application outcome by SMS in about 2 weeks.
For more information on the CRG, refer to [this Ministry of Social and Family Development webpage](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant.aspx).
### COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary: One-time payment of up to \$500
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary (CRG-T) is a supplement to the existing COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG). This grant will provide eligible self-employed persons who suffered income loss during the Heightened Alert period with a one-time payout of up to \$500.
The eligibility criteria for the CRG-T are similar to those for the CRG, except that:
- You should be facing a Net Trade Income loss of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to your average monthly Net Trade Income in 2019 or 2020; and
- The income loss must have occurred between 16 May and 31 August 2021.
In addition to these, you should not be a current recipient of CRG or other support schemes, such as the [COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund for private-hire drivers](https://lancerx.co/covid19/#sector).
If you have previously applied for the CRG, you can apply for the CRG-T provided that your support under the CRG has already ended. And if you need further support after receiving the CRG-T payout, you can reapply for the CRG-T, or apply for the CRG if you have not already done so.
However, if you have already received two tranches of CRG-T payouts for both June and July 2021, you will not be eligible for a third CRG-T payout in August 2021.
#### How to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant â Temporary
Applications for the CRG-T will open at 9am on 3 June 2021 and close after 11.59pm on 31 August 2021. [Click here to apply.](https://go.gov.sg/crgt)
You may apply anytime as the applications are open 24/7.
For more information on the supporting documents required for applying for the CRG-T, [please visit this webpage](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid-recovery-grant-temporary.aspx).
After submitting all required supporting documents, you will be informed of the application outcome by SMS in about two weeks. If your application is successful, the payout will be sent directly to your bank account.
### Temporary Relief Fund: \$500 cash if you lost at least 30% of your personal income due to COVID-19
**Note:** The application period for the Temporary Relief Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident who has lost at least 30% of your personal income as a result of COVID-19 (e.g. you lost jobs), you can apply for a \$500 cash payout under the [Temporary Relief Fund](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/Pages/covid19relief.aspx#TRF).
To obtain the payout, youâll have to meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- The job losses occurred after 23 January 2020
- Before your income was affected, either your household income did not exceed \$10,000 or your per capita household income did not exceed \$3,100
- You currently arenât receiving ComCare assistance
#### **How to apply for the cash payout**
**[You can apply for the cash payout online here](http://go.gov.sg/temporary-relief-fund/)** using your SingPass account between 9am and 6pm. You will need to prepare the following supporting documents:
- NRIC
- Documentary proof that youâve lost jobs, if applicable (e.g. letter of termination of contract)
- Documentary proof that youâve suffered income loss due to COVID-19. (If you have valid reasons for not being able to provide such proof, a self-declaration of income loss can be accepted)
**Alternatively, you can apply in person.** To do so, fill in [this application form](https://www.msf.gov.sg/assistance/PublishingImages/Temporary%20Relief%20Fund%20Application%20Form.pdf) and prepare copies of the above supporting documents.
Then, bring the application form and supporting documents to your [nearest Social Services Office](https://www.msf.gov.sg/dfcs/sso/default.aspx?loc=510458) or Community Centre/Club.
Regardless of whether you applied online or in person, your application will be processed as soon as possible.
The \$500 payout will be issued to you via PayNow if you applied online, and via cheque if you applied at a Social Services Office. If you had applied at a Community Centre/Club, you can receive the payout via cheque or PayNow.
The application period is 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020.
### \$100 credit on utilities bill
Every household with at least one Singapore citizen will get a one-off \$100 Solidarity Utilities Credit to offset the householdâs utilities bill in either July or August 2020.
This credit applies to all households, regardless of property type.
#### How to receive the credit
No need to do anything! The \$100 credit will be automatically added to your July or August 2020 utilities bill.
### \$3,000 special payment for Workfare Income Supplement recipients
If youâre a self-employed person who received Workfare for Work Year 2019, youâll get an extra \$3,000.
You must have been at least 35 years old in 2019, or a person with disabilities, to qualify for the extra payment.
#### When will you receive the money?
The special payment will be made to you in 2 equal instalments in July and October 2020, in the same way that you received the initial WIS payment (e.g. bank transfer or cheque).
### Up to \$200 payout for self-employed persons affiliated with NTUC
**Note:** The application period for the COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre an eligible member of NTUC-affiliated groups who tests positive for COVID-19 between 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, you can claim a one-time payout of \$50 to \$200 under the [COVID-19 (C-19) Temporary Relief Scheme](http://ufse.org.sg/Pages/Details.aspx?ItemId=61).
The exact amount depends on which group you are a member of, and your period of isolation.
The relevant NTUC-affiliated groups are :
- NTUC Freelancers & Self-Employed Unit (NTUC U FSE)
- National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA)
- National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)
- National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA)
- National Taxi Association (NTA)â
- Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) (VICPA)
You must be a fully paid member of these groups as of 31 December 2021 to be eligible for the payout.
#### How to apply for the payout
Check the website of the group you are affiliated with for the application procedure. When applying, you will need to provide proof of your first ART-positive test result if your isolation period is shorter than four days.
There are a few ways of providing such proof. For example, you can provide a date and time-stamped photo of your positive ART test result, together with a copy of your photo ID.
On the other hand, if your isolation period is four days or longer, you will need to provide an electronic discharge memo from the Ministry of Health.
Your application must be submitted within 30 days of your first positive test result. However, if you tested positive using an ART test, youâre advised to apply only after 10 days of your test result.
This is in case your initial isolation period gets extended for longer than 72 hours (such that you need to provide an electronic discharge memo for your application instead of proof of your positive test result).
### **\$50 to \$300 cash payment for NTUC members**
**Note:** The application period for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you are an NTUC member who has suffered job or event cancellations, you may be entitled to cash relief of between \$50 and \$300 under the [enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19)](https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/aboutntuc/ucare/ucarefund/details?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/content_library/ntuc/home/areas+of+interest/care+and+share/u+care+fund/de4345d3-f51f-408c-9963-0d7055c9ab25).
Your eligibility depends on whether you are a new or existing NTUC member, whether you have any dependants staying in the same household in Singapore as you, and your gross monthly personal income level:
| **Existing NTUC members** | **New NTUC members** (i.e. people who joined from 2 October 2020 onwards) |
|---|---|
| **\$300** if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$4,500 **\$100** if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$1,600 | **\$200** if you have such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$4,500 **\$50** if you have no such dependants, and had a original gross monthly personal income of up to \$1,600 |
#### How to apply for the cash relief
You can submit your application for the enhanced NTUC Care Fund (COVID-19) cash relief [via this online portal](https://carefund-covid.ntuc.org.sg/Carefund-Covid19/).
The application period is 23 November 2020 to 28 February 2021. When applying, youâll need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Pre-COVID-19 income document, such as your Notice of Assessment tax document for 2019
- Proof that you have had at least 2 jobs cancelled or postponed, or that you were required to serve a Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice
### **US\$100 for ASEAN youth freelancers**
**Note:** The ASEAN Gig Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
This grant isnât being offered by the government, but itâs so good that we thought it was worth sharing anyway\!
The ASEAN Youth Foundation has started an ASEAN Gig Fund to offer grants of up to US\$100 for youth freelancers in Southeast Asia (including in Singapore!)
The amount of the grant depends on how much youâve earned through gig workâASEAN will match your earnings dollar for dollar, up to US\$100\!
#### How to apply for the grant
Fill in [this Google Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQEtBVcx8QQcw-oi4bl-OKdm5vLCdtJd2FtTR6hjYS-jeGGw/viewform), providing details such as:
- Your email address
- Your self-employed vocation
- How your earnings have been impacted by COVID-19
- Your monthly cost of living
Your application will then be assessed. Do make sure that you provide an email address in your application, otherwise the ASEAN Youth Foundation wonât be able to contact you if youâre eligible for the grant\!
## Training Support
### Extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits
For all Singaporeans aged 25 or older as of 31 December 2020, youâll get an extra \$500 SkillsFuture Credits to spend on SkillsFuture-approved courses.
You can start using these credits from 1 October 2020. But donât take too long to use themâtheyâll expire on 31 December 2025\!
With a whole range of SkillsFuture-approved courses available, from [digital marketing courses](https://lancerx.co/free-digital-marketing-courses-singapore-skillsfuture/) to data analytics to design thinking, this is a good chance to upgrade yourselfâfor free.
#### How to apply for a SkillsFuture-approved course
Head over to the [MySkillsFuture website](https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-landing.html) to start sign up for courses of your choice\!
### Training allowance of \$10/hour
**Note:** The NTUC Training Fund (SEPs) has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Self-employed persons who attend SkillsFuture Series courses, or certain sector-specific courses, will get a training allowance under an [NTUC Training Fund (SEPs)](https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/news/resources/resourcesdetails?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/Content_Library/ntuc/home/areas%20of%20interest/spotlight/8e1225f9-d49e-4ace-a33e-5871523ebdd3&allowDuplicateResults=false&spotlightkeyword=FEATURES_COVID19). As its name suggests, this fund is managed by NTUC and runs from 1 May 2020 until 31 March 2021.
The [SkillsFuture Series](https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/series) is a curated series of courses aimed to equip Singaporeans with skills needed to remain relevant in the future.
Course categories include finance, digital media and entrepreneurship and the courses have 3 difficulty levels.
As of 1 May 2020, the training allowance is \$10/hour. The scheme will run until 31 May 2021.
**By the way:** Existing NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) members will get an extra \$1 per hour of training allowance. Self-employed persons who join U FSE after 1 March 2020 will get an extra 50 cents per hour of training allowance.
So for example, if a non-member will receive \$10/hour in training allowance, you will get \$11/hour if you had joined U FSE as a member on or before 1 March 2020.
#### How to apply for the training allowance
First, apply for a [Letter of Eligibility](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/sep2020-applications-form/) from NTUCâs e2i. You will need to provide certain supporting documents when applying, such as your Notice of Assessment for FY2020.
Then, apply for your course using your Letter of Eligibility. After youâve completed your course, submit a claims form [using this link](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/sep2020-claim-form/). Youâll also need to submit supporting documents, such as a Training Certification Slip endorsed by your course provider.
Youâll have to submit your documents within 30 working days of completing your course, and by 31 May 2021.
The training allowance will be disbursed directly to your bank account within 30 days of submission if everything is in order.
For more information on the application process, refer to [the e2i website](https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/employability/ntuc-training-fund-seps/).
## Leave of Absence / Stay-Home Notice / Quarantine Allowances
### \$100 daily allowance for your Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice duration
**Note:** The application period for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If youâre a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident self-employed person who has been to one of the countries hardest-hit by COVID-19, you may be required to serve a Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice upon coming back to Singapore.
If so, you can claim \$100 per day for the duration of your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice.
**Note:** you will not be eligible for this allowance if you are still able to work remotely despite being on Leave of Absence or serving a Stay-Home Notice.
For example, if youâre a freelance writer who typically works from home anyway, you probably wonât qualify.
#### How to apply for the Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice allowance
Before you apply, **check that youâre actually eligible for this allowance first**.
Thatâs because if youâve travelled to an affected country after a certain date, you may not be eligible for the allowance.
For example, self-employed persons from the healthcare, education and eldercare sectors who travelled to mainland China are not eligible if they had travelled to mainland China after 28 January 2020.
On the other hand, self-employed persons from all other sectors are only not eligible for the allowance if they had travelled to mainland China after 31 January 2020. For more information on the eligible countries and cut-off dates, refer to the [Ministry of Manpowerâs website](https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/).
If youâre eligible, great! After you have finished serving your Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice, apply for your allowance through [this form](https://www.mom.gov.sg/apply-loasp-sep).
When applying for the allowance, youâll need to provide these supporting documents:
- **Your income tax returns or Notice of Assessment for YA2020** (to prove your self-employed status)
- **Your proof of travel to the affected areas** (e.g. your air ticket or boarding pass to that area)
Youâll have to apply within 90 days of serving your last day of Leave of Absence or Stay-Home Notice. But unless you forget, you probably wonât take that long to submit your application.
(So make sure you donât forget.)
### \$100 daily allowance if youâre under quarantine
Self-employed Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who have been served Quarantine Orders after coming into close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases can claim an allowance of \$100 per day of quarantine.
To qualify for the allowance, youâll have to:
- Show proof of your employment; and
- Comply with the Quarantine Order (i.e. staying put at your designated location. No going out for any reason!)
#### How to apply for the quarantine allowance
After completing your quarantine, you will receive a Quarantine Allowance Order form.
Fill in the form and submit it to the Ministry of Health.
### **Courage Fund: \$500 to \$1,000 cash for income loss after a household member is being isolated or contracts COVID-19**
**Note:** The application period for the Courage Fund has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for cash relief under the [Courage Fund](https://www.ncss.gov.sg/thecouragefund) if all of the following requirements are met:
- At least one member of the household (including themselves) has been required to serve out a Leave of Absence, Stay-Home Notice, Quarantine Order or Isolation Order, or has been hospitalised after contracting COVID-19 before 24 May 2022
- The household has a monthly income not exceeding \$6,200, or a monthly per capita income not exceeding \$2,000
- As a result of the household member being isolated or contracting COVID-19, the household experienced at least a 10% loss in income
The amount of cash relief awarded depends on the householdâs income level after being impacted by COVID-19:
| **Household income per capita** | **Cash relief amount** |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding \$650 | \$1,000 |
| \$651 to \$1,350 | \$750 |
| More than \$1,350 | \$500 |
#### How to apply for the cash relief
The cash relief can be applied for from 6 April 2020 onwards. However, you need to apply either:
- Within 6 months from the end of your isolation order or hospitalisation from contracting COVID-19, or
- By 24 November 2022 at 11.59pm,
whichever is earlier.
To apply, prepare the following documents and submit your application using [this online form](http://go.gov.sg/tcf):
- NRIC
- Documentary proof that the household member was isolated or contracted COVID-19
- Documentary proof that your household suffered income loss due to COVID-19
- Copy of your bank statement (for crediting the cash relief to your bank account)
## Business Operations
### 25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020
If youâve registered a company for your business, your company is entitled to a 25% corporate tax rebate for YA2020. This rebate is capped at \$15,000.
#### How to apply for the corporate tax rebate
You donât need to.
Just file your Estimated Chargeable Income and income tax return form (Form C-S or Form C, whichever applies to your company) as per normal.
IRAS will automatically apply the rebate when you have to pay the tax.
**Heads-up:** your Estimated Chargeable Income has to be filed within 3 months of your financial year end.
On the other hand, your income tax return form typically has to be filed by 15 December.
### 3-month income tax deferral
Self-employed persons and freelancers will have their personal income tax payments deferred by 3 months.
This means that if you were originally supposed to pay your income tax between May 2020 and July 2020, you will now only have to pay it between August 2020 and November 2020.
The same applies if you had registered a company for your businessâyour company will have its corporate tax payment deferred by 3 months. Collection of payment will start from July 2020 onwards.
### Jobs Support Scheme: Up to 75% wage support for self-employed persons who are employees and shareholder-directors of their own company
**Note:** The Jobs Support Scheme has ended! The info below is for reference purposes only.
If you have registered a company for your freelance or self-employed business, and you are a shareholder, director *and* employee of your company, you may qualify for the [Jobs Support Scheme](https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/jobs-support-scheme-\(jss\)). Under this scheme, youâll get a:
- **75% cash grant** for your gross monthly wages for April and May 2020 (2 months);
- **25% cash grant** for the same for the wages paid/payable in October to December 2019, February and March 2020, and June to August 2020 (for a total of 8 months); and a
- **0â60% cash grant** for the same for wages paid/payable from September 2020 to 19 December 2021 (10 months), depending on the sector your business is in.
You will be considered an employee of your company if you are have been paying yourself a monthly salary which includes the payment of employer and employee CPF contributions. This monthly salary is not the same as the directorâs fee that you may be paying yourself as your companyâs director.
âGross monthly wagesâ refer to the monthly salary paid to employees which includes the employee CPF contribution portion, but not the employer CPF contribution portion.
To qualify for the wage support:
- Your company needs to have been registered on or before 20 April 2020
- Your employee salary cannot have exceeded \$100,000 in YA2019
#### How to receive the wage support
You donât need to apply for the wage support as youâll get it automatically. If youâre eligible, IRAS will mail you a letter stating how much wage support youâll be getting.
Youâll receive all 20 monthsâ worth of wage support in 9 rounds, during the months of April 2020, May 2020, July 2020, October 2020, March 2021, June 2021, September 2021, December 2021 and January 2022.
If you missed out on the April 2020 payment because the Jobs Support Scheme didnât apply to you then, this payment will be made to you during the May 2020 round of payment.
For more information on how the payment amounts will be calculated for each round of payment, check out [this IRAS webpage](https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/jobs-support-scheme-\(jss\)#title4).
## Medisave Contributions
### Opting for a longer Medisave instalment plan
This only applies if you have been paying your Medisave contributions through a monthly instalment plan as opposed to in one lump sum.
Self-employed [Medisave contribution](https://lancerx.co/cpf-contributions-101-singapore-freelancers/) instalment plans typically run for 12 months. But if money is tight and you need to reduce your monthly instalment amounts, you can opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan of 15 months.
#### How to opt for a longer Medisave instalment plan
Log into [*my cpf* online services](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/login/qr-code), then click on âMy Self-Employed Homeâ on the left menu followed by âMy MediSave Contributionâ on the right.
If youâve signed up for a Medisave instalment plan, youâll see an option for you to âChange Instalment Planâ.
## Sector-Specific Measures
Apart from the above measures, you might also qualify for extra support depending on which industry sector youâre part of.
Click on the relevant tab below to learn more\!
## Hang in There\!
As of January 2024, Singapore has moved on from the COVID-19 situation. All of the COVID-19 support measures for Singapore freelancers and self-employed persons listed in this guide have likewise also been ended.
Is any support measure you know missing from this list? [Get in touch\!](https://lancerx.co/contact/) |
| Shard | 58 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 8369956986169054858 |
| Unparsed URL | co,lancerx!/covid19/ s443 |