Government boosts working family allowance rates by 15%

The increase will take effect in April.

The government increased the allowance rates under the Working Family Allowance (WFA) scheme.

Starting April, the rates for household and child allowances under the WFA scheme will increase by 15%. WFA applicants from May will also benefit from the new rates.

In addition, the government will provide a one-off extra allowance to WFA recipients following the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2024.

WFA applicants approved during the application period are eligible for the one-off extra allowance.

The extra allowance is half the average monthly allowance in approved months in a recipient's most recent WFA application.

WFA households receiving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CCSA) at the date the bill was passed will only be eligible for one single extra allowance. 

Allowance rates under the WFA scheme are determined by the household’s monthly income and working hours.