What are the eligibility criteria for the Guangdong Scheme / Fujian Scheme? What is the amount of assistance payable?

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) introduced the Guangdong (GD) Scheme and Fujian (FJ) Scheme under the existing Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme comprised of Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) and Old Age Allowance (OAA) to provide a monthly allowance for eligible Hong Kong residents who choose to reside in GD or FJ.

• Old Age Living Allowance (OALA)

  • OALA is designed to provide a special allowance per month to supplement the living expenses of HK residents aged 65 or above who need financial support and have income and assets not exceeding the prescribed limits.

  • The monthly payment rate of OALA (with effect from 1 February 2024) is $4,195.

     

• Old Age Allowance (OAA)

  • OAA is designed to provide a monthly allowance on a non-means-tested basis to HK residents aged 70 or above to meet their special needs arising from old age.

  • The monthly payment rate of OAA (with effect from 1 February 2024) is $1,620.

     

A person is eligible for the Guangdong Scheme / Fujian Scheme if he/she:

1. satisfies the following age requirements:

   Old Age Living Allowance applicants	Aged 65 or above
   Old Age Allowance applicants	Aged 70 or above

2. meets the following residence requirements:
   1. has been a Hong Kong resident for at least 7 years；and
   2. has 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:
     •  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.
     • In considering the residence requirement in (b) above, consideration can be given to disregarding absences arising from paid work or receiving medical treatment outside Hong Kong during the one-year period, subject to there being sufficient documentary proof (and reason).
3.  continues to reside in Guangdong (applicable to GD Scheme)/Fujian (applicable to FJ Scheme) during receipt of the allowance.
   • Where a recipient has resided in GD (applicable to GD Scheme)/ FJ (applicable to FJ Scheme) for not less than 60 days in a payment year, the recipient will be entitled to a full-year allowance.
   • For details, please refer to the "Pamphlet on Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme" (Sep 2023 version) (PDF);
4. is not receiving other allowances under the Social Security Allowance Scheme or Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme;
5. is not being detained in legal custody or admitted to a penal institution;
6. is required to surrender his/her public rental unit or delete his/ her name from the tenancy before leaving Hong Kong if he/she is an authorized public housing tenant; and
7. For OALA applicant, is having an income and assets not exceeding the prescribed limits:                                

   				Single-person($)			Married Couples($)
   Total income per month (with effect from 1 Feb 2024)	10,710	16,330
   Total asset value (with effect from 1 Feb 2024)	401,000	608,000

     For details of income and asset limits, please refer to the "Application for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme Guidance Notes" (Feb 2024 version) (PDF).

Applicants could visit the GovHK Website – Eligibility Check – Application for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme to have a preliminary check on their eligibility.

More Information:

• Please click here for the application procedures and payment arrangement for the Guangdong Scheme/ Fujian Scheme. 
• Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme Application Form (Sep 2023 version) (PDF)
• Application for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme 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;
  • or obtained from the Social Security Field Unit (GD Scheme & FJ Scheme) by phone or by post (Address: Unit 2110-2111, 21/F, Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong; Phone no.: 3105 3266)
• Pamphlet on Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme (Sep 2023 version) (PDF) 
• Information for the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme can be obtained in different locations within Guangdong Province and Fujian Province (Chinese version only) (Sep 2023 version) (PDF)

For other enquiries:

• Please visit the SWD’s Guangdong Scheme / Fujian Scheme website; or
• Call the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme Enquiry Line at 3105 3266.