Scheme Characteristics
A household meeting the working hour requirements, income and asset limits may apply for a Basic Allowance, Medium Allowance or Higher Allowance. Depending on the household income, the allowances may be granted at full rate, 3/4 rate or half rate.
The claim period of an application covers the immediate past six calendar months before the submission of the application. The allowance is calculated on a monthly basis. The household is granted the allowance for each month in which the eligibility criteria are met.
The working hours of all household members are aggregated. The applicant and his/her household members may report the working hours of more than one job within the same month.
Non-single-parent household with aggregated monthly working hours not less than 144 hours may apply for Basic Allowance; if the aggregated monthly working hours are not less than 168 hours, the household may apply for Medium Allowance; and if the aggregated monthly working hours are 192 hours or more, the household may apply for Higher Allowance.
Single-parent household with aggregated monthly working hours not less than 36 hours may apply for Basic Allowance; if the aggregated monthly working hours are not less than 54 hours, the household may apply for Medium Allowance; and if the aggregated monthly working hours are 72 hours or more, the household may apply for Higher Allowance. For single-parent applications, an applicant who is a working, single parent has to live with at least one child aged below 15.
Each eligible child in single-parent households and non-single-parent households may also receive Child Allowance under the WFA Scheme. Eligible children must be aged below 15, or aged between 15 and 21 receiving full-time education (but not post-secondary education).
Applicants can submit online applications anytime and anywhere via the e-prefilled form or e-form available on the e-submission service of the WFA Scheme. Applicants can also use ‘iAM Smart+’ to sign the ‘Declaration Form’ and submit it with the supporting documents online to save time and hassle. After submission of application, applicants can log in with ‘iAM Smart’ to view application status/result, check contact information of case officer, withdraw application and submit review/appeal application.
In addition to the office in Kwun Tong, WFAO has set up enquiry counter and information booths to answer enquiries and offer assistance in form-filling. Please click here for the latest locations and service hours. (Note: WFAO reserves the right to cancel any of the above services or change the location and/or service hours due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable circumstances without prior notice.)
