A person is eligible for an allowance under the Scheme if he/she:

 

1. satisfies the following residence requirements:
   1. he/she must have been a Hong Kong resident for at least 7 years; and
   2. he/she must have resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least 1 year immediately before the date of application (absence from Hong Kong up to a maximum of 90 days during the one-year period is treated as residence in Hong Kong).
   
   　Note:
   1. Persons whose presence in Hong Kong is unlawful or persons who are permitted to stay in Hong Kong for a purpose other than residence (for example, imported workers or visitors) are excluded from the Scheme.
   2. Hong Kong residents aged below 18 applying for Disability Allowance are exempted from the residence requirements in (a) and (b) above.
   3. In determining whether an SSA applicant has resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least 1 year immediately before the date of application, consideration can be given to disregarding absences arising from full-time study (for Disability Allowance applicants only) or paid work outside Hong Kong during the one-year period, subject to there being sufficient documentary proof. Where an applicant has been absent from Hong Kong for more than 90 days during the one-year period because of the need to receive medical treatment outside Hong Kong, the Director of Social Welfare can consider exercising his discretion to disregard the absences exceeding the 90-day limit, subject to the reason for and evidence of receiving medical treatment outside Hong Kong being established.
   4. Absence from Hong Kong means leaving Hong Kong for the Mainland, Macao or overseas countries/territories.
   5. If an Old Age Allowance/Old Age Living Allowance/Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme applicant lodges an advance application within one month prior to applicant’s reaching the respective qualifying age for the allowance, the date the applicant reaching the respective qualifying age for the allowance is regarded as the date of application, but not the date of the applicant’s advance application for the allowance


2. continues to reside in Hong Kong during receipt of payment（not applicable to Guangdong Scheme／Fujian Scheme;


3. is not in receipt of any other allowance under the Scheme or assistance under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme;


4. is not being detained in legal custody or admitted to a penal institution; and


5. fulfils the following eligibility criteria required by the individual allowance:
   1. Old Age Allowance
   2. Normal Disability Allowance
   3. Higher Disability Allowance
   4. Old Age Living Allowance
   5. Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme