The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme was announced during the 2007 Budget Speech as a permanent scheme following the one-off Workfare Bonus Scheme. The objectives of WIS are to supplement the wages and CPF savings of older low-wage workers as well as to encourage them to stay employed.

After 3 years in operation, the scheme was reviewed and two broad changes have been made. First, enhancements have been made to WIS to refine and strengthen it. Second, the Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme has been introduced to help low-wage workers train and upgrade so that they can earn more. Please click here for the speech by the Minister for Manpower announcing these changes.

With the latest enhancements, with effect from 1 January 2010, the maximum payout for WIS is now $2,800 per year (up from $2,400 previously) to encourage older low-wage workers to seek and to remain in employment. The maximum qualifying average monthly income is now $1,700 (up from $1,500 previously). Further details on the enhancements are available here.