Scheme guide · 在職家庭及學生資助事務處
Working Family Allowance
在職家庭津貼
Support for eligible working households based on working hours, income, assets and dependent children.
Benefit amount
Basic, Medium and Higher Allowance tiers depend on qualifying work hours, income and assets. Full, three-quarter and half rates apply, with a possible Child Allowance. Consult the current official rate tables.
Who can apply?
Applications are household-based, including one-person households, and subject to total monthly work hours, household-size-based income ceilings and asset tests. Non-single-parent households require at least 144/168/192 hours for Basic/Medium/Higher tiers respectively; qualifying single-parent households require 36/54/72 hours. Child Allowance depends on eligible children under 15, or ages 15–21 in qualifying full-time education. WFA and CSSA cannot generally be received concurrently in the same claim month.
How to apply
The claim period normally covers the six calendar months immediately before application; eligibility is assessed for each month. Review current eligibility and rates, gather evidence and apply using the Working Family Allowance Office's official channels. An official preliminary calculator is available.
Processing time
See official scheme details
2026/27 Working Family Allowance: quick-reference guide
Use the three checks in order: monthly working hours, household income and household assets. A Child Allowance may be added where eligible. Figures below are monthly amounts, not guaranteed awards.
1. Working hours and allowance tiers
| Tier | Non-single parent | Qualifying single parent | Full | 3/4 | Half |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 144–167 | 36–53 | $1,150 | $863 | $575 |
| Medium | 168–191 | 54–71 | $1,380 | $1,035 | $690 |
| Higher | 192+ | 72+ | $1,610 | $1,208 | $805 |
| Child allowance / eligible child | Requires qualifying household allowance | $1,610 | $1,208 | $805 | |
2. Household income and asset limits
| People | Full-rate income ceiling | 3/4-rate | Half-rate | Asset ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12,500 | $15,000 | $17,500 | $295,000 |
| 2 | $16,800 | $20,100 | $23,500 | $400,000 |
| 3 | $21,000 | $25,200 | $29,400 | $521,000 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $31,700 | $37,000 | $608,000 |
| 5 | $26,500 | $31,700 | $37,000 | $675,000 |
| 6 | $27,600 | $33,100 | $38,600 | $731,000 |
3. Worked examples (illustrative only)
Assume 180 eligible hours, HK$18,000 monthly household income, assets below HK$521,000 and one qualifying child. The illustrated tier is Medium, full rate: HK$1,380 + HK$1,610 = HK$2,990 for that month, assuming all other conditions are met.
Assume 195 eligible hours, HK$30,000 monthly income, assets below HK$608,000 and two qualifying children. Income falls within the 3/4-rate band: HK$1,208 + (2 × HK$1,208) = HK$3,624 for that month, provided all rules are met.
4. Practical application checklist
- List household members and confirm which work hours can be aggregated.
- Prepare working-hour evidence such as attendance records, payslips and employer confirmations.
- Report income month by month; do not substitute a six-month average.
- For irregular casual work, review the official self-declaration arrangements.
- A claim generally covers the previous six full calendar months, with eligibility decided month by month.
5. Policy context and independent-source notes
The government adjusted WFA income and asset limits for April 2026–March 2027 and explained why larger household limits were handled differently. A separate one-off extra allowance was announced in May 2026 for households within the specified approved claim period; it is not part of the regular monthly allowance table.
Policy announcement, 1 Apr 2026 · One-off allowance announcement, 22 May 2026 · Official application FAQs
Application readiness checklist
Use this checklist to organize your next steps. It does not check eligibility or submit an application.
Who can apply?
Applications are household-based, including one-person households, and subject to total monthly work hours, household-size-based income ceilings and asset tests. Non-single-parent households require at least 144/168/192 hours for Basic/Medium/Higher tiers respectively; qualifying single-parent households require 36/54/72 hours. Child Allowance depends on eligible children under 15, or ages 15–21 in qualifying full-time education. WFA and CSSA cannot generally be received concurrently in the same claim month.
Benefit amount
Basic, Medium and Higher Allowance tiers depend on qualifying work hours, income and assets. Full, three-quarter and half rates apply, with a possible Child Allowance. Consult the current official rate tables.
How to apply
The claim period normally covers the six calendar months immediately before application; eligibility is assessed for each month. Review current eligibility and rates, gather evidence and apply using the Working Family Allowance Office's official channels. An official preliminary calculator is available.
Documents
Normally provide household-member information, evidence of working hours, monthly income, assets and relevant child education details. The official guidance allows certain declarations in special employment circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a one-person household apply for WFA?
Yes. Single-person households are included, subject to the applicable hours, income and asset tests.
Can I claim Child Allowance on its own?
An eligible child does not by itself establish entitlement. The household must qualify for the work-hour-linked WFA allowance in the relevant month.
Official information
Visit official source ↗This page is an independent guide, not an eligibility decision. Refer to official guidance for current rules.