Workfare rewards work and encourages up-skilling by supplementing the incomes and retirement savings of older lower-wage Singaporean workers, and providing funding support for their training.
Workfare is a key pillar of Singapore's social security landscape.
What it comprises
Workfare is made up of:
- Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme
- Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme
Who it is for
Workfare is for:
- Older lower-wage Singaporeans who work, undergo training to up-skill themselves, or both.
- Employers who send their older lower-wage workers for training.
For the full qualifying criteria, refer to:
How it helps
Eligible workers can receive:
- A cash supplement to meet short-term expenditure needs.
- A CPF top-up to build up retirement savings.
- Subsidies and cash awards when undergoing training to up-skill and improve employability.
Workfare Income Supplement
The WIS scheme was introduced in 2007 as a permanent feature of Singapore's social security system.
WIS rewards regular work and individual effort by providing cash and CPF payouts to help with expenditure needs and retirement savings of older lower-wage workers and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who work.
How it works
From January 2017, WIS is paid out in cash and CPF every month for employees. Self-employed persons are paid annually.
The WIS quantum varies depending on income and age.
Changes to WIS from 2020
At Budget 2019, the Government announced changes to WIS that apply from 1 January 2020. Read the factsheet on Workfare to find out more.
For more information
To find out more:
Workfare Training Support
The WTS scheme complements the WIS scheme by helping older lower-wage workers upgrade their skills through training. WTS can help these workers become more employable and give them the chance to earn more.
How it works
WTS provides the following:
- Subsidised course fees
- For employers: The Enhanced Grant provides a 95% course fee subsidy, as well as 95% absentee payroll funding if you send your eligible workers for training.
- For workers: If you are a self-sponsored Singaporean who takes up training, you can enjoy a similar 95% course fee subsidy and a training allowance.
- Training Commitment Award of up to $400 a year for trainees who have completed the required training modules.
Changes to WTS from 2017
At Budget 2016, the Government announced changes to WTS that apply from 1 January 2017. Read the factsheet on Workfare to find out more.
For more information
To find out more: