Special arrangement for first year of Fujian Scheme to expire at end of March
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The spokesman pointed out that the FJ Scheme was launched on April 1, 2018. In its first year of implementation (i.e. April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019), a special one-off 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 (the one-year of continuous residence in Hong Kong requirement), but have already resided in FJ 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 FJ for at least one year immediately before the date of application, and they have to provide their residential address in FJ and relevant documentary proof (such as rental receipts, electricity bills, etc) for application.
Upon the expiry of the special one-off arrangement on March 31, applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements, including the one-year continuous residence in Hong Kong requirement, in order to be eligible for the allowance.
The spokesman said that the FJ Scheme provides the Old Age Allowance for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons aged 65 or above who choose to reside in FJ. Currently, the rate of allowance is HK$1,385 per month.
Elderly persons who wish to apply for the FJ Scheme can obtain the application form and guidance notes from the SWD's FJ Scheme website (www.swd.gov.hk/fjs) or from the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) (SSFU) by phone (3105 3266) or by post (address: Unit 2110-2111, 21/F, Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong). Applicants are required to return the completed application form, together with copies of relevant supporting documents and two recent photos, to the SSFU by post for application.
The spokesman added, "Elderly persons who wish to make applications before the expiry of the special one-off arrangement can call the enquiry line at 3105 3266 for details of the application procedures. For those who wish to submit their applications by post, they should be mindful of the delivery time to ensure that their mail can be sent to the SWD with a postmark date on or before March 31."
For eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions on the current FJ Scheme, please visit the SWD's FJ Scheme website (www.swd.gov.hk/fjs) or call 3105 3266 during the office hours (Monday to Friday at 8.45am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm).
Ends/Friday, February 15, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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