Government to launch Pilot Scheme for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Households Transitioning to Working Family Allowance Scheme
The Government announced the launch of a three-year Pilot Scheme for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Households Transitioning to Working Family Allowance Scheme on October 1, 2026, which is funded by the Community Care Fund (CCF).
The Pilot Scheme encourages Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients with working capability to achieve self reliance through continuous employment. Households leaving the CSSA Scheme on or after October 1, 2026, and joining the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme will be eligible for cash incentives totalling up to $45,000 under the Pilot Scheme.
To be eligible for the cash incentive, households should (a) leave the CSSA Scheme on or after October 1, 2026; (b) submit WFA applications (claim months should fall within the period from October 2026 to September 2029); and (c) through continuous employment, have at least two consecutive WFA applications approved (i.e., covering 12 consecutive claim months) with at least 10 claim months granted with WFA during the 12 claim months.
All types of CSSA households may participate in the Pilot Scheme, and a separate sign-up is not required. The Working Family Allowance Office will identify eligible households through data matching with the Social Welfare Department and notify them. Eligible households will receive the first payment of the cash incentive in the first year after having received two consecutive WFA payments. The cash incentive will be disbursed directly to their bank account for receiving WFA payments. If these households continue to work and meet the above eligibility requirements, they will receive the second and third payments of the cash incentive in the following year and the third year respectively. Each eligible household may receive up to three payments of the cash incentive, totalling $45,000. Irrespective of the household size and the rate of WFA approved, standard cash incentive payments will be disbursed as follows:
Amount of cash incentive
First payment
$10,000
Second payment
$15,000
Third payment
$20,000
More details are available on the websites of the CCF (www.communityfund.hk) or the Pilot Scheme (CSSAtoWFA.gov.hk). Members of the public may also call the enquiry hotline of the Pilot Scheme on 3897 1897 during office hours.
Photo source: reference image
LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning
As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
The Labour Department, Photo source: reference image
Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.
The Heat Stress at Work Warning
