Social Security

FAQs

Will a CSSA recipient be eligible for assistance if he/she leaves Hong Kong?
Is it necessary to report to the SWD in case of changes in circumstances of the CSSA applicant or his/her family member(s)?
How can the CSSA applicant/applicant aged 75 or above of Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) applies for medical fee waiving?
How should a recipient of Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme or his/her guardian/appointee or recipient’s relatives/friends report to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) if there is any change in the recipient’s circumstances?

Q 1：	Will a CSSA recipient be eligible for assistance if he/she leaves Hong Kong?
A 1：	A CSSA recipient's temporary absences from Hong Kong will not affect the amount of assistance payable on condition that the total number of days of absence in a payment year (which is counted from 1 July to 30 June of the following year) does not exceed the permissible limit as follows : (A) Recipients who are old or medically certified to be disabled : 180 days a year (B) Other recipients : 60 days a year. (If there are special reasons why these recipients have to leave Hong Kong for more than 60 days in a year, the permissible limit of absence from Hong Kong can be extended up to a maximum of 90 days at the discretion of Director of Social Welfare.) (Note: Consideration can be given to disregarding a recipient's absence from Hong Kong arising from paid employment outside Hong Kong on condition that there is documentary evidence to prove that working hours per month and earnings per month are no less than the prescribed level as defined by SWD.)

Q 1：

Will a CSSA recipient be eligible for assistance if he/she leaves Hong Kong?

A 1：

A CSSA recipient's temporary absences from Hong Kong will not affect the amount of assistance payable on condition that the total number of days of absence in a payment year (which is counted from 1 July to 30 June of the following year) does not exceed the permissible limit as follows :

(A) Recipients who are old or medically certified to be disabled : 180 days a year

(B) Other recipients : 60 days a year. (If there are special reasons why these recipients have to leave Hong Kong for more than 60 days in a year, the permissible limit of absence from Hong Kong can be extended up to a maximum of 90 days at the discretion of Director of Social Welfare.)

(Note: Consideration can be given to disregarding a recipient's absence from Hong Kong arising from paid employment outside Hong Kong on condition that there is documentary evidence to prove that working hours per month and earnings per month are no less than the prescribed level as defined by SWD.)

q1-2

Q 2：	Is it necessary to report to the SWD in case of changes in circumstances of the CSSA applicant or his/her family member(s)?
A 2：	Any changes in the circumstances of a CSSA applicant or his/her family member(s) may affect his/her CSSA entitlement. Therefore, the applicant or his/her guardian/appointee should report immediately to the SWD whenever there is a change in the information that has already been provided to the Department, which includes : change in employment or change in income; change in financial resources; total value of assets exceeding the prescribed limit; change in schooling conditions; change in family conditions; change in family expenditure; absence from Hong Kong exceeding the permissible limits; admission to or discharge from any residential institution; or detention or imprisonment, etc.

Q 2：

Is it necessary to report to the SWD in case of changes in circumstances of the CSSA applicant or his/her family member(s)?

A 2：

Any changes in the circumstances of a CSSA applicant or his/her family member(s) may affect his/her CSSA entitlement. Therefore, the applicant or his/her guardian/appointee should report immediately to the SWD whenever there is a change in the information that has already been provided to the Department, which includes :

change in employment or change in income;
change in financial resources;
total value of assets exceeding the prescribed limit;
change in schooling conditions;
change in family conditions;
change in family expenditure;
absence from Hong Kong exceeding the permissible limits;
admission to or discharge from any residential institution; or
detention or imprisonment, etc.

q1-3

Q 3：	How can the CSSA applicant/applicant aged 75 or above of Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) applies for medical fee waiving?
A 3：	CSSA applicant and the eligible family member(s)/applicant aged 75 or above of OALA are/is entitled to the waiver of medical charges at a public clinic or hospital (including the Accident & Emergency Department) during the eligible period of CSSA/OALA. Upon registration for medical treatment or admission to hospital, the CSSA applicant and/or eligible family member(s)/applicant aged 75 or above of OALA should inform staff of the clinic or hospital that he/she/they is/are the recipient(s) of CSSA/OALA; and produce valid identity document which was/were used for CSSA/OALA application (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Hong Kong Birth Certificate, Certificate of Exemption, Hong Kong Entry Permit, One-way Permit, Passport or Birth Certificate of other nations, etc.) according to the record in the Annex of “Notification of Successful Application”/“Notification of Revision of Assistance” (applicable to CSSA applicant) or “Notification of Successful Application”/“Notification of Revision of Allowance” (applicable to OALA applicant), issued by the Social Welfare Department to CSSA/OALA recipients

Q 3：

How can the CSSA applicant/applicant aged 75 or above of Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) applies for medical fee waiving?

A 3：

CSSA applicant and the eligible family member(s)/applicant aged 75 or above of OALA are/is entitled to the waiver of medical charges at a public clinic or hospital (including the Accident & Emergency Department) during the eligible period of CSSA/OALA. Upon registration for medical treatment or admission to hospital, the CSSA applicant and/or eligible family member(s)/applicant aged 75 or above of OALA should inform staff of the clinic or hospital that he/she/they is/are the recipient(s) of CSSA/OALA; and produce valid identity document which was/were used for CSSA/OALA application (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Hong Kong Birth Certificate, Certificate of Exemption, Hong Kong Entry Permit, One-way Permit, Passport or Birth Certificate of other nations, etc.) according to the record in the Annex of “Notification of Successful Application”/“Notification of Revision of Assistance” (applicable to CSSA applicant) or “Notification of Successful Application”/“Notification of Revision of Allowance” (applicable to OALA applicant), issued by the Social Welfare Department to CSSA/OALA recipients

q1-4

Q 4：	How should a recipient of Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme or his/her guardian/appointee or recipient’s relatives/friends report to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) if there is any change in the recipient’s circumstances?
A 4：	Currently, the Social Security Field Units (SSFUs) under SWD will process and follow up cases of SSA Scheme (including Old Age Allowance, Normal Disability Allowance, Higher Disability Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance, Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) according to the recipient’s residential address. In case of any change in the recipient’s circumstances, such as change of contact address and telephone number, absence from the declared place of residence exceeding the permissible limit or the death of the recipient, etc., the recipient or his/her guardian/appointee or the recipient’s relatives/friends should report to the SSFU responsible for the recipient’s case immediately. If the report is made in writing by fax, e-mail or post, it can also be accompanied by copies of relevant supporting documents (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Death Certificate, etc.). Upon receipt, the staff of SSFU will follow up on the report as soon as possible and provide appropriate assistance or referral services if necessary.

Q 4：

How should a recipient of Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme or his/her guardian/appointee or recipient’s relatives/friends report to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) if there is any change in the recipient’s circumstances?

A 4：

Currently, the Social Security Field Units (SSFUs) under SWD will process and follow up cases of SSA Scheme (including Old Age Allowance, Normal Disability Allowance, Higher Disability Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance, Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) according to the recipient’s residential address. In case of any change in the recipient’s circumstances, such as change of contact address and telephone number, absence from the declared place of residence exceeding the permissible limit or the death of the recipient, etc., the recipient or his/her guardian/appointee or the recipient’s relatives/friends should report to the SSFU responsible for the recipient’s case immediately. If the report is made in writing by fax, e-mail or post, it can also be accompanied by copies of relevant supporting documents (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Death Certificate, etc.). Upon receipt, the staff of SSFU will follow up on the report as soon as possible and provide appropriate assistance or referral services if necessary.

Top