What are the eligibility criteria for Old Age Allowance? What is the amount of assistance payable?

Old Age Allowance (OAA) under the Social Security Allowance Scheme provided by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) is designed to provide a monthly allowance to Hong Kong residents aged 70 or above to meet special needs arising from old age. The scheme is non-means-tested.
The monthly amount of OAA is $1,640 (effective from 1 February 2025).

Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) is designed to provide a special allowance per month to Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above who have income and assets not exceeding the prescribed limits. Please note a recipient will not be granted OALA and OAA at the same time.  For details of OALA, please click here.

A person is eligible for the OAA if he/she:

1. is 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 for more than 90 days during the one-year period, subject to there being sufficient documentary proof (and reason).

3. continues to reside in Hong Kong during receipt of Old Age Allowance (Please click here for information on the permissible limit of absence from Hong Kong during receipt of allowance);
4. is not receiving other allowances under the Social Security Allowance Scheme or Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme; and 
5. is not being detained in legal custody or admitted to a penal institution.

More Information:

• Please click here for the application procedures and payment arrangement for OAA.

• 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)

   

For other enquiries:

Please visit the SWD’s Social Security Allowance Scheme’s website ; or
Visit your nearest Social Security Field Unit .