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Since the implementation of the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) in April, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has received more than 100 000 application forms under "Phase 2 - Postal Submission" and more than 12 000 application forms under "Phase 3 – New Application" as at July 5. About 70 000 eligible elderly persons have already received payment. Including beneficiaries under the "Phase 1 - Auto Conversion" arrangement, more than 340 000 eligible elderly persons have already received the OALA, an SWD spokesman said today (July 8).
"The SWD has all along been helping elderly persons to receive the allowance as early as possible, and we are glad that more than 340 000 elderly persons have benefited from the OALA. The SWD will continue to process all applications proactively so that more eligible elderly persons can receive the allowance to supplement their living expenses," he said.
Introduced under the Social Security Allowance Scheme, the OALA aims to help the poor by supplementing 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.
Elderly persons who have met the eligibility criteria and submitted their applications under "Phase 2 - Postal Submission" or "Phase 3 - New Application" before the end of 2013 will be entitled to the OALA. They will receive a lump sum payment in arrears (after deducting Old Age Allowance or Disability Allowance payments already made for the corresponding period) counting from the effective date (that is, December 1, 2012) or the eligibility date of the OALA, whichever is later, and the monthly payment.
For details and frequently asked questions on OALA, please refer to the SWD's website: www.swd.gov.hk/oala/index_e.html#s6 .
Ends/Monday, July 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:01
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