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SLW briefed on WFAO's enhanced support for WFA applicants (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA) in Kwun Tong today (March 6) for an update on the improved Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme to be implemented on April 1. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, also joined the visit.

     Accompanied by the Head of the WFSFAA, Mr Esmond Lee, Dr Law was first briefed on the WFAO's preparedness for the improvement measures under the current Low-income Working Family Allowance Scheme, which will be renamed as the WFA Scheme. He noted that over 70 service units of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including those serving ethnic minority communities, had been commissioned so far to reach out to new applicants and provide them with form-filling support from April 1 to December 31.

     In March and April, about 60 community briefings will be held in various districts to introduce the improvement measures and application arrangements. Simultaneous interpretation in seven languages, namely Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai and Urdu, will be provided on-site for some briefing sessions to help people from ethnic minorities to understand the arrangements. Visits will also be made to newly established public housing estates to promote the scheme. Details of the community briefings are updated at the WFAO's website.

     Meeting with the WFAO's front-line staff, Dr Law said he appreciated their hard work in swiftly preparing for the improved scheme and appealed to them for conscientious efforts to better support applicants. He said that the Government is determined to improve the scheme to benefit more low-income working households and in response to stakeholders' views on difficulties in making applications.

     Applicants may call the 24-hour hotline (2558 3000) of the scheme or visit the WFAO's Enquiry Service Counter on 9/F, 181 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong. The WFAO has also set up an enquiry desk at the Hong Kong Housing Authority Customer Service Centre on Podium Level 2, 3 Wang Tau Hom South Road, Lok Fu.

     The public may also refer to the WFAO's website lifa.gov.hk or, with effect from April 1, wfa.gov.hk for more information.
 
Ends/Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:35
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Today's Press Releases  

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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the Working Family Allowance Office today (March 6) for an update on the improved Working Family Allowance Scheme to be implemented on April 1. Photo shows the Head of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency, Mr Esmond Lee (left), accompanying Dr Law (right) to view posters in various languages for people from ethnic minorities to understand the scheme arrangements.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the Working Family Allowance Office today (March 6) for an update on the improved Working Family Allowance Scheme to be implemented on April 1. Photo shows Dr Law (centre) and the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui (right), viewing leaflets in various languages for people from ethnic minorities to understand the scheme arrangements.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the Working Family Allowance Office today (March 6) for an update on the improved Working Family Allowance Scheme to be implemented on April 1. Photo shows Dr Law (first left) meeting with the Head of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency, Mr Esmond Lee (second left), and front-line staff.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the Working Family Allowance Office today (March 6) for an update on the improved Working Family Allowance Scheme to be implemented on April 1. Photo shows Dr Law (centre) and the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui (sixth left), being briefed by the Head of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency, Mr Esmond Lee (fourth left), on staff preparedness for the scheme's improvement measures.