Can an elderly person who does not have a personal bank account apply for Old Age Living Allowance?

If an Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) applicant does not have a personal bank account, he/she may fill in the bank account particulars of his/her guardian/appointee/agent in the application form.

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) only accepts sole accounts for payment purposes, and joint accounts are not applicable.

Allowance is usually credited to the guardian/appointee’s designated bank account in Hong Kong once a month. Under exceptional circumstances, special delivery of cash directly to the applicant can be arranged (not applicable to Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme).