Extra bonus for social security and wfa recipients: get ready for a one-time payment boost!
The Government today (June 4) announced that, as set out in the 2024-25 Budget, a one-off extra allowance equal to one half of the monthly payment or allowance will be provided to eligible recipients of social security payments, including the recipients of the standard rate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance and Disability Allowance. Similar arrangements will apply to households in receipt of Working Family Allowance (WFA). The above recipients will receive the extra allowance starting from today (details in the Annex).
A Government spokesman said that recipients who were eligible for social security payments on May 8, 2024 (i.e. the date on which the Legislative Council approved the Appropriation Bill 2024), and the households from which WFA applications were made from November 1, 2023, to May 8, 2024, and approved would be eligible for the one-off extra allowance. It is estimated that about 1.66 million social security recipients and about 64000 WFA households would benefit from the arrangements, involving a total of about $3 billion in extra allowance. The payment will be credited to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of the eligible recipients/households and no separate application is required.
For enquiries, recipients of social security payments may call the hotline (23432255) of the Social Welfare Department or contact the respective Social Security Field Unit. As for enquiries on the WFA Scheme, please call the hotline (25583000) of the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.
Source: AI-generated images
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $3.8 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 27) detected one dangerous drugs case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 14 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $3.8 million.
Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected a batch of air cargo consignment, declared as carrying vegetables and fruits, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand. Upon inspection, among 53 carton boxes of goods, 2 were found containing dried seafood and mingled with the batch of suspected cannabis buds. A 58-year-old male consignee, who was suspected to be connected with the case, was subsequently arrested.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday mounted a controlled delivery operation in Kowloon City, and arrested a 43-year-old female, suspected to be connected with the case.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items in and out of Hong Kong.They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $3.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
