Hong Kong’s Social Security Allowance Scheme

The Social Security Allowance Scheme in Hong Kong provides financial aid to needy individuals and families for daily needs.

The SSA Scheme is necessary because, without it, many people who live in Hong Kong today would not be able to ensure that their basic daily needs would be met. The SSA Scheme includes several different elements such as the Normal Old Age Living Allowance, Higher Old Age Living Allowance, Old Age Allowance, Normal Disability Allowance, Higher Disability Allowance, Fujian Scheme, and Guangdong Scheme.

The Old Age and Disability Allowances provide monthly support to Hong Kong residents aged 70 or severely disabled. This allowance supports daily personal needs and addresses special needs arising from old age or disability.

The Old Age Living Allowance provides a monthly allowance to supplement the living expenses of Hong Kong residents who are at least 65 years old and require financial support. The Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme serve to provide Old Age Allowance every month for all eligible Hong Kong residents who are at least 65 years old and choose to live in either of China’s provinces of Guangdong or Fujian to meet their needs which have arisen from their advanced age.

Except for applicants for Normal Old Age Living Allowance, Higher Old Age Living Allowance, and applicants for either the Fujian Scheme or Guangdong Scheme who are between 65 and 69 years old, anyone who applies for allowances which are part of the SSA Scheme does not have to undergo any tests before applying.

Origins of the Social Security Allowance Scheme

Before 1971, social security in Hong Kong was unofficial and informal. Its scope was limited due to the Social Welfare Department’s relative weakness, having only been established in 1958. In its early years, the government restricted the role of the Social

Welfare Department and emphasized the role of family in social welfare. However, this scenario began to change as the years passed. Long-term social welfare plans gradually came to be accepted by Hong Kong’s general populace, especially in the 1970s. The first public assistance scheme in Hong Kong was introduced in 1971.

Today, this scheme serves as the foundation of Hong Kong’s social security system. Together with the Social Allowance Scheme (today known as the Social Security Allowance Scheme) introduced in 1973, they have since been the primary components of Hong Kong’s social security system. In the 1980s, the Hong Kong government’s expenses continued to increase. In 1993, the public assistance scheme was rebranded as the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme. Its benefits were also increased. This led to one of the largest increases in social welfare expenditure in Hong Kong’s history. By 1995, there were approximately 140,000 people (2% of the population) who were receiving benefits from the scheme; most such people were the elderly, the critically ill, and people with disabilities. Today, social welfare programs in Hong Kong have developed to a point where they have received much acclaim from various figures around the world.

Eligibility for the SSA Scheme’s Benefits

Eligibility for SSA Scheme benefits requires meeting criteria, including specific residence requirements. Eligible SSA Scheme recipients must reside in Hong Kong unless benefiting from the Fujian or Guangdong Schemes. Those eligible for either of these schemes must be residing in the province of China which corresponds to the name of the scheme to be eligible for the benefits provided.

SSA Scheme Residential Requirements

The residential requirements for one to benefit from the SSA Scheme include the fact that the recipient must have been a Hong Kong resident for a minimum of seven years while also having resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year directly before the date of application.

Absence from Hong Kong for 56 days or less during the one year directly preceding the date of application is regarded as residence in Hong Kong. However, such does not necessarily have to be the case when the applicant is applying for a Disability Allowance and is involved in full-time study abroad or if the applicant is involved in paid employment outside Hong Kong during the one year.

Documentation is to be supplied as evidence of either. The 56-day limit may be waived for medical treatment abroad if sufficient documentation is provided.

Illegal residents or those staying for non-residential purposes cannot claim SSA Scheme benefits.

Any Hong Kong resident who is 18 years old or younger and is applying for a Disability Allowance is exempted from the aforementioned residence requirements.

Applicants must reside in Hong Kong to maintain SSA Scheme eligibility, except for the Guangdong and Fujian Schemes. Those who are in prison are also ineligible to receive the benefits of the SSA Scheme.

Miscellaneous Eligibility Criteria Related to Each Individual Allowance

Normal Disability Allowance

Eligibility requires certification of severe disability by the Director of Health, Hospital Authority, or select registered medical practitioners. Such a disability must also persist for a minimum duration of six months for the person to be eligible.

Higher Disability Allowance

Eligibility criteria for this allowance are mostly the same as for the Normal Disability Allowance, with additional requirements.

Eligibility for Higher Disability Allowance requires certification of constant attendance needs by authorized health officials or registered practitioners.

The applicant must not receive care in a government-subsidized residential institution or a Hospital Authority facility. This person also may not be boarding in any special school operating under the Education Bureau.

Old Age Allowance

The applicant must be at least 70 years old.

Normal Old Age Living Allowance/Higher Old Age Living Allowance

The applicant must be at least 65 years old and have monthly income and assets at a value which does not exceed the prescribed limits.

Old Age Allowance Under the Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme

The applicant must be at least 65 years old and residing in either Guangdong or Fujian during receipt of the payment. Applicants aged 65-69 must have income and assets within prescribed limits to qualify for the allowance.

Public rental housing tenants must surrender their units or remove their names from the tenancy before leaving Hong Kong.