Hong Kong – Rates of WFA to be raised from April 1 and one-off extra allowance for WFA recipients to be disbursed later (with photos)
Rates of WFA to be raised from April 1 and one-off extra allowance for WFA recipients to be disbursed later (with photos)
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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (March 29) said that the rates of allowance of the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme will be increased starting from the next claim month, further alleviating the burden of grassroots working families, encouraging continuous self-reliance through full-time employment and incentivising more families to join the labour market.
It was announced in the Policy Address last year that the rates of household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme will be increased by 15 per cent across the board with effect from the claim month of April 2024 (details at Annex), benefiting all households receiving WFA. Taking a four-person household with two eligible children as an example, the maximum monthly WFA they may receive will increase from the current amount of $4,200 to $4,830. Households submitting their WFA applications starting from May 2024 will benefit from the new rates of allowance.
On the other hand, after the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2024 (the Bill), the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA) will disburse a one-off extra allowance to WFA recipients as proposed in the 2024-25 Budget. It is expected that the extra allowance will be disbursed one month after the passage of the Bill at the earliest.
Households which made WFA applications during the applicable period that were eventually approved are eligible for the one-off extra allowance. The applicable period is from the first day of the month in which the Bill is passed by the Legislative Council to the date of passage of the Bill, and the six calendar months before that month. For applications submitted by post, the date of the post-stamp is adopted as the application date.
In order to be eligible for the extra allowance, new applicants or previous WFA recipients who have yet to submit applications during the applicable period should submit their applications before the applicable period expires (i.e. on or before the date of passage of the Bill). The extra allowance is equal to one half of the average monthly allowance in approved months in a recipient’s most recently submitted WFA application, which was submitted within the applicable period and eventually approved. The amount varies from case to case.
If a WFA household is receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) at the date of passage of the Bill, the household is eligible for only one single extra allowance, which will be calculated based on the higher amount the household is eligible to receive under the WFA Scheme or the CSSA Scheme. The rates of allowance of the WFA Scheme are determined on a monthly basis based on the household’s income and working hours. The claim period of an application covers the six calendar months immediately before the submission of the application, and an eligible household has to submit an application for every claim period.
For enquiries, applicants may visit the website of the WFSFAA (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk) or call the 24-hour hotline (2558 3000) of the WFAO.
Rates and Government rent due by January 31
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The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order on Dec. 28 approving new rates for Duke Energy Kentuckys 102,000 natural gas customers, effective beginning in January.
Average residential usage will result in an approximate 6.27% increase in monthly natural gas bills. The increase will vary depending on the amount of natural gas a customer uses, a customers rate class and the market price of natural gas.
The company does not earn any profit from increases in fuel costs.
Duke Energy Kentucky provides gas service to customers in Boone, Campbell, Grant, Kenton, Bracken, Gallatin and Pendleton counties. The PSCs order does not impact electric rates.
A rate agreement was reached with the consumer advocate, the Kentucky attorney general, in October, and public meetings and hearings were held in October seeking public input.
The PSCs order largely adopts the settlement with the Kentucky attorney general, recognizing the companys investments in its natural gas delivery system. The order also approved a mechanism to mitigate future rate adjustments while allowing the company to modernize its natural gas infrastructure under applicable federal regulations.
We appreciate the PSC and the Kentucky Attorney General for giving such thoughtful consideration to our customers and to the investments weve made to keep our system safe and reliable for decades to come, said Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. We have managed our costs to operate and maintain the system nearly flat for more than a decade, and we continue to focus on helping our customers better manage their energy usage and reduce their bills.
In June 2021, Duke Energy sought the public review of its rates to support its ongoing investments in the safety and reliability of the regions natural gas delivery system. The Order authorizes a $9.17 million increase in base rates, which is about an 8.21% increase over the companys existing revenue.
The PSCs rate order and other documents in the case can be viewed here.
Helping customers manage winter bills
Winter brings colder weather, which can bring higher energy bills. Our money-saving programs, tips and guidance can help you control your energy usage and reduce your energy bills.
For more information on how you can better manage your energy bill, click here.
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to about 860,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to approximately 538,000 customers in a 2,650 square-mile service area.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of Americas largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortunes 2021 Worlds Most Admired Companies list and Forbes Americas Best Employers list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energys illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues.
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and in supersession of the Notification No.26/2021-Customs(N.T.), dated 4th March, 2021 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column (2) of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 19th March, 2021, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column (3) thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods. SCHEDULE-I Sl. No. Foreign Currency Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees (1) (2) (3) (a) (b) (For Imported Goods) (For Exported Goods) 1. Australian Dollar 57.95 55.60 2. Bahraini Dinar 198.70 186.00 3. Canadian Dollar 59.50 57.35 4. Chinese Yuan 11.35 11.00 5. Danish Kroner 11.90 11.45 6. EURO 88.25 85.10 7. Hong Kong Dollar 9.50 9.15 8. Kuwaiti Dinar 248.35 232.45 9. New Zealand Dollar 53.85 51.50 10. Norwegian Kroner 8.75 8.45 11. Pound Sterling 102.80 99.35 12. Qatari Riyal 20.55 19.30 13. Saudi Arabian Riyal 19.95 18.70 14. Singapore Dollar 54.95 53.10 15. South African Rand 5.10 4.80 16. Swedish Kroner 8.70 8.40 17. Swiss Franc 80.05 76.95 18. Turkish Lira 9.95 9.35 19. UAE Dirham 20.35 19.10 20. US Dollar 73.35 71.60 SCHEDULE-II Sl. No. Foreign Currency Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees (1) (2) (3) (a) (b) (For Imported Goods) (For Export Goods) 1. Japanese Yen 67.80 65.30 2. Korean Won 6.65 6.25
Hong Kong – Rates and Government rent due by January 31
Demand notes for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from January to March 2022 have been issued, and payment should be made by January 31, 2022.
The demand notes have reflected the rates concession for this quarter, subject to a ceiling of $1,000 and $2,000 for each rateable domestic and non-domestic tenement respectively. Any unused portion of the concession in this quarter will not be used to offset the outstanding rates in any other quarter. The concession does not apply to payment of Government rent.
Payment can be made:
(1) by using autopay or electronic means (such as PPS, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), the Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Internet);
(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier’s Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal www.payecheque.gov.hk;
(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong (please note that mail with underpaid postage will be rejected); or
(4) in person at any of the post offices or designated convenience stores. For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call Hongkong Post’s hotline (2921 2222), or visit www.hongkongpost.hk.
If demand notes have not been received, members of the public may call 2152 0111, fax 2152 0113, or visit the Rating and Valuation Department, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
Members of the public can also visit the department’s website at www.rvd.gov.hk to obtain replacement demand notes or enquire as to the amount payable. For instant payment, payers may obtain a payment QR code or an FPS payment code from the Account Enquiries service at the website. Payers may present the payment QR code by using mobile devices (e.g. mobile phone or tablet) at any post office, 7-Eleven, Circle K or VanGo in Hong Kong or use any mobile banking app or e-wallet which supports Government FPS bill payments to scan the FPS payment code for payment.
A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for late payment and a further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) that remains unpaid six months after the payment deadline.
To support environmental protection, payers are advised to utilise the free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments. They are also encouraged to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. PPS, ATM, the Internet or e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order) in order to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay are obtainable from the Rating and Valuation Department, District Offices and major banks in Hong Kong or by telephoning 2152 0111. Payers may also download the form from the department’s website.
New rates take effect in January for Duke Energy Kentucky natural gas customers, supporting new natural gas infrastructure
Exchange Rates Notification No. 31/2021 – Customs (N.T.)
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