************************************************************
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (April 16) that rent allowance is now available for application by Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients who have been Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) flat owner-occupiers under the Housing Authority for more than five years from the date of first assignment of the flat concerned.
"As announced by the Chief Executive in the 2014 Policy Address, the Government will regularise a number of Community Care Fund programmes, and provision of rent allowance to CSSA recipients who have been TPS flat owners for more than five years will take effect from April onwards. This new arrangement aims to ease the financial burdens of the CSSA recipients concerned," a spokesman for the SWD said.
"Eligible CSSA recipients can submit relevant documentary proof to apply for rent allowance at relevant Social Security Field Units. The allowance will be assessed with the monthly CSSA entitlement and paid through the existing CSSA payment method, that is, normally through bank payment credited to the designated bank account," he added.
For enquiries, please call the SWD's Social Security Field Units or its hotline at 2343 2255, or visit the SWD homepage at www.swd.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:01
NNNN