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A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 31) reminded elderly people that the one-off special arrangement in the first year of implementing the Guangdong (GD) Scheme will expire by the end of next month (September 30). Eligible elderly persons are advised to apply as early as possible.
The spokesman pointed out that in the first year of implementing the GD Scheme (i.e. from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014), a one-off special arrangement was put in place to allow elderly persons who do not meet the requirement of residing in Hong Kong continuously for one year immediately before the date of application, but have already moved to GD and satisfied all other eligibility criteria, to benefit from the Scheme without the need to return and stay in Hong Kong. These applicants must have resided in GD for at least one year immediately before the date of application (absence from GD up to a maximum of 56 days during the one-year period is treated as residence in GD), and they have to provide documentary proof of their residential addresses in GD (such as rental receipts, electricity bills, etc) together with their applications.
After the expiry of the special arrangement on September 30, applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements, including residing in Hong Kong continuously for one year immediately before the date of application, in order to be eligible for the allowance.
The spokesman said that the GD Scheme provides an Old Age Allowance for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons aged 65 or above who choose to reside in GD. Currently, the rate of allowance is HK$1,180 per month. As at mid August 2014, more than 17 000 elderly persons were receiving the allowance.
Elderly persons who wish to apply for the GD Scheme can return the completed application form, together with copies of relevant supporting documents and two recent photos, to the Social Security Field Unit (GD Scheme) by post (address: Room 2110-2111, 21/F, Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong).
The SWD has appointed the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch as the agent for the GD Scheme to assist those elderly applicants who are unfit to travel to Hong Kong to complete the application procedures, and to handle enquires about the Scheme.
"Elderly persons who wish to return their applications by post should be mindful of the delivery time to ensure that their mails can reach the SWD on or before September 30," the spokesman added.
For enquiries, please call the GD Scheme enquiry hotline at 3105 3266. For eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions on the GD Scheme, please visit the GD Scheme website (www.swd.gov.hk/gds).
Ends/Sunday, August 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:03
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