A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (April 24) reminded elderly persons that the re-launched special one-off arrangement under the Guangdong (GD) Scheme will expire on June 30, 2018. Eligible elderly persons who wish to apply for the GD Scheme under the special one-off arrangement are advised to apply as early as possible.

     The spokesman pointed out that the SWD re-launched the special one-off arrangement during the year from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, under the GD Scheme to allow elderly persons who are unable to meet the requirement of having resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year immediately before the date of application ("one-year continuous residence in Hong Kong requirement"), but have already resided in GD and satisfied all other eligibility criteria, to benefit from the GD 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, and they have to provide their residential address in GD and relevant documentary proof (such as rental receipts, electricity bills) when they submit applications. After the expiry of the special one-off arrangement on June 30 this year, applicants must satisfy all eligibility criteria, including the "one-year continuous residence in Hong Kong requirement", in order to be eligible for the allowance.

     The spokesman said that the GD Scheme aims to enable eligible elderly persons aged 65 or above who choose to reside in GD to receive Old Age Allowance without the need to return to Hong Kong each year. Currently, the rate of allowance is HK$1,345 per month.

     Elderly persons who wish to apply for the GD Scheme can obtain the application form and guidance notes from the SWD's GD Scheme website or from the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) by phone or by post. Applicants are required to return the completed application form, together with copies of relevant supporting documents and two recent photos, to the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) by post for application (address: Room 2110-2111, 21/F, Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong). For applications made by post, the date of the post stamp will be adopted as the application date. Upon receipt of an application, the SWD will make an appointment with the applicant to complete the application procedures at the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme).

     For enquiries, please visit the GD Scheme website (www.swd.gov.hk/gds) or call the GD Scheme Enquiry Line at 3105 3266.

Ends/Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:00

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