Can the minimum income criterion be waived for workers who want to work more but are unable to?
The minimum income criterion of $500 per month was introduced from 2023 to encourage workers to work more regularly or take up higher-paying jobs.
$500 per month is achievable for most regular workers. At an hourly wage of $10.501, workers who work 3-hr daily shifts for 16 days a month would already earn more than $500 per month.
We recognise that some want to work more but are unable to do so due to their personal circumstances or are in greater need of support, such as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance recipients and caregivers of care recipients2. Such workers will continue to qualify for concessionary WIS, even if they earn less than $500 per month.
1 based on Local Qualifying Salary requirement for part-time workers from July 2024 onwards
2 This will generally include caregivers residing with care recipients who are medically certified to have permanent moderate to severe disabilities.
