Application Procedures and Payment of Allowance

An/A Old Age Allowance/Disability Allowance/Old Age Living Allowance applicant or his/her relative/friend can make an application directly with a social security field unit near to his/her place of residence by phone, by fax, by e-mail, by post, by online form or in person. An application may also be made through a referral to the Social Welfare Department by another government department or non-governmental organization. The applicant can also download the "Social Security Allowance Scheme Application Form" from this homepage and return the completed application form, together with photocopies of relevant supporting documents, to social security field unit by mail or in person (for details, please refer to the "Application for Social Security Allowance Guidance Notes").

For details about the application procedures for Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme, please refer to the website of Guangdong Scheme／Fujian Scheme.

Payment will be calculated from the date of receipt of application by the Department (or the date of application or referral if the application is referred by another organisation) or the date of eligibility, whichever is later.

Note: The Department accepts application for Old Age Living Allowance/Old Age Allowance (including Old Age Living Allowance/Old Age Allowance under Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme) within one month prior to the applicant's reaching the respective qualifying age (i.e. the 65th or 70th birthday) for the allowance. Under this arrangement, the date the applicant reaching the respective qualifying age for the allowance is regarded as the date of application.  The payment of allowance will be calculated from the date the applicant fulfils the qualifying age and satisfies all the eligibility criteria.