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The Social Welfare Department (SWD) is today (February 25) issuing a green notification letter to about 290 000 elderly persons to inform them about the arrangements under the Phase 1 - Auto-conversion arrangement of the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA).
Elderly persons who are covered under Phase 1 are those aged 65 to 69 currently receiving Normal Old Age Allowance (OAA), or those aged 70 or above currently receiving Higher OAA and having received Normal OAA between the ages of 65 to 69.
Those who opt to switch to the OALA and have income and assets not exceeding the prescribed limits need not reply, nor do they need to make separate applications. They will automatically be converted to receive the OALA, and payment will be credited into their designated bank accounts currently used for receiving OAA payment on April 5 or thereafter.
Those who opt not to switch to the OALA or have income and/or assets exceeding the prescribed limits should complete the Old Age Living Allowance Reply Slip and return it to the Social Welfare Department, PO Box 2200, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, on or before March 22.
An SWD spokesman reminded elderly persons to apply for the OALA as scheduled and there is no need to queue up at the SWD's Social Security Field Units. Those aged 70 or above who opt not to switch to the OALA can apply for or continue to receive the non-means-tested Higher OAA.
The OALA, which is being introduced under the Social Security Allowance Scheme, aims to supplement the living expenses of Hong Kong elderly persons aged 65 or above who are in need of financial support. Eligible elderly persons will receive a monthly allowance of $2,200. To enable elderly persons to apply for the allowance in an orderly manner, the SWD has made arrangements for different types of elderly persons to apply for the OALA through different procedures under three phases for application, namely Auto-conversion, Postal Submission and New Application.
For details about the OALA, please visit the SWD's website www.swd.gov.hk/oala or call the hotline at 3595 0130.
Ends/Monday, February 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:01
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