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Applicants can apply for Old Age Living Allowance under Phase 3 - New Application on or before December 31 (with photos)
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     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (April 2) has started receiving new applications for the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) under Phase 3. Applicants can submit their applications on or before December 31, 2013.

     Elderly persons who are under Phase 3 - New Application involve those aged 65 or above currently not receiving Old Age Allowance (OAA) or Normal Disability Allowance (DA) but in need of the OALA. They have to meet the eligibility criteria for the OALA, including residence as well as income and assets requirements.

     Those aged 70 or above whose income and/or assets have exceeded the prescribed limits, or who opt not to switch to the OALA, can continue to receive or apply for the Higher OAA, which is $1,135 per month at present.

     An SWD spokesman reminded elderly persons that there is no need to rush to submit applications. Sufficient time has been allowed as elderly persons who have submitted their applications on or before December 31, 2013, and met relevant eligibility criteria will receive the OALA which will cover a lump sum back payment counting from the effective date (that is, December 1, 2012) at the earliest and the monthly payment.

     Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the SWD's website, or obtained from Social Security Field Units (SSFUs). Completed application forms together with photocopies of relevant supporting documents can be submitted through various channels, namely by fax, by email, by post or through referral by government departments/non-governmental organisations, or by submitting in person to an SSFU near the applicant's place of residence. The applicant can also authorise another person to make an application on his or her behalf.

     After receiving the applications, the SWD will make appointments to interview the applicants. The SWD spokesman explained that as these elderly persons are not receiving OAA or Normal DA, the SWD does not have their personal information or records of their financial resources, and hence interview appointments are necessary to verify their eligibility for the OALA.

     For details about the OALA, please visit the SWD's website www.swd.gov.hk/oala.

     For enquiries, please call:

1. The OALA hotline at 3595 0130 (15 lines in total). Service hours: 8.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

2. The departmental hotline 2343 2255.

3. The 24-hour hotline of the OALA 3142 2202. This hotline is manned by 1823 of the Efficiency Unit to handle general and simple enquiries on the OALA.

     If the departmental hotline 2343 2255 and the 24-hour hotline of the OALA 3142 2202 are unable to give immediate replies involving case-specific details of the elderly person concerned, the staff will take down the details and pass them to the department for follow-up.

Ends/Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:01

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