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enquiry_wfao@wfsfaa.gov.hk

Working Family Allowance Scheme

E-Submission
Enquiry
2558 3000
enquiry_wfao@wfsfaa.gov.hk

Overview

The Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme encourages self-reliance and eases inter-generational poverty. Applications under the WFA Scheme are made on a household basis (including singleton households). A household meeting the working hour requirements, income and asset limits may apply for a Basic Allowance, Medium Allowance or Higher Allowance. Each eligible child may also be eligible for a Child Allowance. Depending on the household income, the allowances may be granted at full rate, 3/4 rate or half rate.

Examples to help you understand the WFA Scheme

Example 1:

This is a singleton household.
The applicant has a full-time job. He works 144 hours a month and the household income is $13,000 per month. He owns assets valued at $240,000.

  • The applicant works for 144 hours but less than 168 hours per month, and is eligible for the Basic Allowance.

  • 3/4-rate allowance will be granted as the monthly household income exceeds the Monthly Household Income Upper Limit for full-rate allowance but is less than that for 3/4-rate allowance for a singleton household.

  • The household asset value does not exceed the Monthly Asset Limit for a singleton household.

The household meets the eligibility criteria for WFA. The monthly allowance is -

3/4-rate Basic Allowance
=
$1,150 x 3/4
Total
=
$863
3/4-rate Basic Allowance($1,150 x 3/4) = Total($863)
Example 2:

This is a household of four members comprising the parents, a son and a daughter who are 3 and 6 years old respectively.
The father has a full-time job and the mother is a housewife. The father works 200 hours a month and the household income is $18,000 per month. The household owns assets valued at $300,000.

  • The father works for not less than 192 hours per month, and is eligible for the Higher Allowance.

  • Full-rate allowance will be granted as the monthly household income does not exceed the Monthly Household Income Upper Limit for full-rate allowance for a four-person household.

  • The household asset value does not exceed the Monthly Asset Limit for a four-person household.

  • Both children meet the eligibility criteria for receiving the Child Allowance.

This household meets the eligibility criteria for WFA. The monthly allowance is -

Full-rate Higher Allowance
=
$1,610
Full-rate Child Allowance
=
$1,610 x 2
Total
=
$4,830
Full-rate Higher Allowance($1,610)+Full-rate Child Allowance($1,610 x 2)=Total($4,830)
Example 3:

This is a household of six members comprising the parents, a daughter who is 14 years old, a son who is 18 years old and attending full-time Secondary school and a 70-year-old grandfather and grandmother.
The father has a full-time job. He works 180 hours a month and earns $30,000 per month. The mother is a part-time salesperson. She works 30 hours a month and earns $4,000 per month. The household income is $34,000 ($30,000 + $4,000) per month and the household owns assets valued at $450,000.

  • The aggregated monthly working hours of the couple are 210 hours (180+30 hours) which are not less than 192 hours per month, and the household is eligible for the Higher Allowance.

  • Half-rate allowance will be granted as the monthly household income does not exceed the Monthly Household Income Upper Limit for half-rate allowance for a six-person household.

  • The household asset value does not exceed the Monthly Asset Limit for a six-person household.

  • Both the 14-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son meet the eligibility criteria for receiving the Child Allowance.

  • The Old Age Living Allowance received by the 70-year-old grandfather and grandmother is not taken into account under the income test.

This household meets the eligibility criteria for WFA. The monthly allowance is -

Half-rate Higher Allowance
=
$1,610 x 1/2
Half-rate Child Allowance
=
$1,610 x 2 x 1/2
Total
=
$2,415
Half-rate Higher Allowance($1,610x1/2=$805)+Half-rate Child Allowance($1,610 x 2 x 1/2=$1,610)=Total($2,415)
Example 4:

This is a single-parent household of two members comprising the mother and a daughter who is 8 years old.
The mother has multiple part-time jobs. She works a total of 132 hours a month and the household income is $12,000 per month. The household owns assets valued at $150,000.

  • The single-parent mother works for not less than 72 hours per month. The daughter who lives with the single-parent mother is aged below 15 that the household could benefit from the lower working hour thresholds and be eligible for the Higher Allowance.

  • Full-rate allowance will be granted as the monthly household income does not exceed the Monthly Household Income Upper Limit for full-rate allowance for a two-person household.

  • The household asset value does not exceed the Monthly Asset Limit for a two-person household.

  • The 8-year-old daughter meets the eligibility criteria for receiving the Child Allowance.

This household meets the eligibility criteria for WFA. The monthly allowance is -

Full-rate Higher Allowance
=
$1,610
Full-rate Child Allowance
=
$1,610
Total
=
$3,220
Full-rate Higher Allowance($1,610)+Full-rate Child Allowance($1,610)=Total($3,220)