What are the application procedures and the payment arrangements for Old Age Allowance / Old Age Living Allowance?

Form and Guidance Notes

Social Security Allowance Scheme Application Form (Sep 2023 version) (PDF)
Application for Social Security Allowance Guidance Notes (Feb 2024 version) (PDF)

Application form and Guidance Notes can be downloaded from SWD’s website or obtained from any Social Security Field Units.

Pamphlet on Social Security Allowance Scheme (Sep 2023 version) (PDF)

Documents Required

Please return the completed application form together with photocopies of the following supporting documents:

Application for Old Age Allowance

Any documents confirming the applicant’s identity, age and residence in Hong Kong (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Birth Certificate, etc.);
Document of the applicant's bank account (e.g. first page of bank account passbook, bank statement, etc.) (must clearly show the name of the applicant and account number; only sole account is acceptable for payment of allowance, joint account is not applicable); and
The pages showing the absence record during the one-year period immediately before the application and the personal particulars in the applicant’s travel documents (e.g. Passport, HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes, etc.).

Application for Old Age Living Allowance

Any documents confirming the applicant’s identity, age and residence in Hong Kong (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Birth Certificate, etc.);
Document of the applicant's bank account (e.g. first page of bank account passbook, bank statement, etc.) (must clearly show the name of the applicant and account number; only sole account is acceptable for payment of allowance, joint account is not applicable);
The pages showing the absence record during the one-year period immediately before the application and the personal particulars in the applicant’s travel documents (e.g. Passport, HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes, etc.); and
The identity document of the applicant’s spouse or cohabiting partner (only applicable to an applicant whose marital status is “Married” or “Cohabiting”).

Application Procedures

"iAM Smart+" account owner with signing function enabled can submit the online form directly; or
Apply by phone/fax/e-mail/in person or by relatives or friends in person at the Social Security Field Unit; or
Download the “Social Security Allowance Scheme Application Form” from the SWD’s website and return the completed application form together with photocopies of relevant supporting documents to the Social Security Field Unit by post or in person; or
Through a referral to SWD by another government department or a non-governmental organisation.

Person Unable to Make Application by Himself/herself

If an applicant is medically certified to be unfit to make a statement rendering him/her unable to make an application by himself/herself, which is verified by SWD, an appointee will be appointed by the Director of Social Welfare to act on his/her behalf.
Please contact Social Security Field Unit for details.

Application Procedures, Payment Arrangements and Permissible Limits of Absence from Hong Kong During Receipt of Payment

Application Procedures

Upon receipt of the application, SWD will make arrangements for an interview with the applicant. All the application procedures are to be processed in Hong Kong.
Once the interview is completed and all information is available, the processing time is usually 6 weeks. SWD will issue a notification letter to the applicant.

Payment Arrangements

Payment will be calculated from the date of receipt of the application by SWD (or the date of application or referral if the application is referred by another organization) or the date of eligibility, whichever is the later.
Allowance is usually credited to the applicant’s/ guardian’s/ appointee’s designated bank account once a month. Under exceptional circumstances, special delivery of cash directly to the applicant can be arranged.

Permissible Limits of Absence from Hong Kong During Receipt of Payment

Where a Social Security Allowance recipient has resided in Hong Kong for not less than 60 days in a payment year, his/her temporary absences from Hong Kong will not affect the payment of allowance on condition that the total number of days of absence in the year does not exceed 305 days (or 306 days in a leap year). A Social Security Allowance recipient will be entitled to a full-year allowance if he/she satisfies the minimum residence period of 60 days in a payment year.
Please click here for details on the permissible limits of absence from Hong Kong during receipt of allowance.