Total of $343 million given to 271,000 workers a month earlier than planned
By
Tan Dawn Wei
There will be extra money in the hands of some 271,000 low-wage earners from today - $343 million to be exact.
They will get $294 million in Workfare payments and also poc- ket another $49 million - in cash - in the first of three one-off special payments which are part of the Resilience Package announced in this year's Budget.
Both payments from the Government will be given out today - one month earlier than the scheduled date.
Workfare is a two-year-old scheme meant to top up the income of low-wage workers and build up their retirement savings.
Those who worked at least six months last year will get anything from $90 to $2,400 from the scheme, depending on their age, earnings and whether they are self-employed.
Half of the amounts were paid out last October.
Those who worked three months in any six-month period in the year are entitled to half the payout.
Eligible workers can also get a cash payout of up to $1,200 in special payment given out in three tranches.
The other payments will be made in October this year and in March next year, for employees. The self-employed will get their payments in May and October this year, and in May next year.
This year, low-wage workers will receive 50 per cent more in Workfare payouts, as the Government has beefed up its incentive scheme to help them cope with the downturn.
