Impact of Our Advocacy
At Leap201, we focus on understanding the needs of low-income and working families in Singapore, advocating for policy changes that drive meaningful and lasting impact at the national level. Through rigorous research and collaboration, we identify gaps in existing policies and propose solutions to uplift vulnerable communities.
Reimagining Workfare to Strengthen Support for Lower-Wage Workers
One of our key advocacy milestones has been in shaping the evolution of the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme.
In 2023, we published the Workfare Reimagined report in partnership with NUS’s Social Service Research Centre. This study proposed wide-ranging recommendations to redesign WIS, ensuring it better supports lower-wage workers and their households.
Read the WIS Reimagined report — commissioned by Leap201 and co-authored with NUS Social Service Research Centre
Leap201’s Workfare Reimagined proposals contributed directly to the government’s review of the WIS scheme. The Budget 2024 enhancements — the largest income cap increase since WIS was introduced in 2007, delivered one year ahead of schedule — are in the impact direction of Leap201’s advocacy, and will benefit over 500,000 Singaporeans with bigger payouts, wider coverage, and longer support.
Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) enhancements that stood out for LEAP201
Bigger Payouts, for More Workers, over a Longer Horizon
Lower-wage workers can now continue to receive Workfare benefits until their income grows up to the new ceiling of S$3K.
more than S$350
Increased Maximum WIS Annual Payout
The maximum WIS annual payout has been increased by S$350 to S$70
raised S$500
Qualifying Income Cap/Monthly Salary
The increase in the qualifying income cap (of S$500) was the largest since the scheme was introduced
1 Year
Ahead of Time
The 2024 enhancements came 1 year ahead of schedule, when compared against past 3-year review cycles since WIS was introduced in 2007
