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The Low-income Working Family Allowance (LIFA) is open for Phase 1 applications from today (May 3). The Government urges eligible families with four or more persons to submit their application forms as soon as possible. The staff of the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) stand ready to provide assistance.
Applications can be submitted by post to PO Box No. 62600 Kwun Tong Post Office (WFAO of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA)) or through the Drop-in Boxes at the WFAO, the Student Finance Office (of the WFSFAA), the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Division and the District Social Welfare Offices.
The Scheme aims to encourage self-reliance and ease inter-generational poverty. Under the Scheme, a family of two or more members meeting the income and asset limits may apply for a full-rate Basic Allowance ($600 per month), a full-rate Higher Allowance ($1,000 per month), a half-rate Basic Allowance ($300 per month) or a half-rate Higher Allowance ($500 per month) if the applicant meets the working hour requirements. Each eligible child may also be granted a full-rate Child Allowance ($800 per month) or a half-rate Child Allowance ($400 per month). For single parents, the working hour requirements will be lower.
The Phase 1 applications are for families with four or more persons, to be submitted in May 2016. The claim period is for the past six months from November 2015 to April 2016.
The Phase 2 applications are for families with three persons, to be submitted in June 2016. The claim period is from November 2015 to May 2016 (7 months). The application form and related documents are available from today at various distribution points and the LIFA website (lifa.gov.hk).
The Phase 3 applications are for families with two persons, to submitted in July 2016. The claim period is from November 2015 to June 2016 (8 months). The application form and related documents will be made available on June 1, 2016.
There are 159 distribution outlets of application form and related documents, including the WFAO, the Student Finance Office, the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Division, Job Centres and Industry-based Recruitment Centres of the Labour Department, the District Social Welfare Offices, Social Security Field Units and Integrated Family Service Centres of the Social Welfare Department, and the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
Applicants are welcome to call the 24-hour LIFA hotline 2558 3000 or visit the enquiry counters of the WFAO at 9/F, 181 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong. Details of the LIFA Scheme are also available at the LIFA website (lifa.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 09:01
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