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In response to media enquiries, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (October 24) that the proposal to raise the Old Age Allowance (OAA) to $1 000 a month across-the-board for those aged between 65 and 69 and those aged 70 and above would be put to the Legislative Council's Welfare Services Panel at its meeting on November 10, and to the Finance Committee afterwards for approval.
"We aim to issue the increased allowance of $1 000 early next year," Mr Cheung said.
"The existing criteria for admission to the OAA scheme, including the means-testing requirement for applicants aged between 65 and 69, will remain unchanged," he said.
Ends/Friday, October 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:50
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