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社會上未必每個人都生活無憂,政府為有需要的市民,提供不同社會福利,當中不少與長者有關。這一節「長者法網智多聲」,就為大家介紹一下不同的長者社會福利。
眾多種類的社會福利之中,相信大家最熟悉的就是「生果金」。「生果金」正式的名稱是「高齡津貼。老友記到了70歲,無論有錢還是無錢,都可以申請「生果金」。而正領取「綜合社會保障援助」(即「綜援」)的人,就不可以有雙重福利了,所以不能同時領取「生果金」。
特區政府在2013年引入「長者生活津貼」,向年滿65歲或以上符合資格的長者,每個月發放一筆比生果金更多的津貼,作為扶貧措施。年滿65歲的老友記,資產和入息限額不超過規定的話,就可以申請,詳情可以參考長者社區法網文字版。
至於申請綜援就有更多要求。除了要通過入息審查和資產審查之外,受助人亦不可以離港太久,好像是60歲或以上、或傷殘受助人,每年就不可以離港超過180日。
有些老友記選擇在內地養老,政府就推出了「綜援長者廣東及福建省養老計劃」,向符合資格、並且在廣東或福建省養老的綜援受助長者,繼續提供現金援助。
不合符資格申領綜援、正租住私人樓宇單位的老友記,如果有需要和符合資格,就可以考慮申請關愛基金的津貼。
有關各種社會福利和津貼的詳情和申請方法,大家可以參考長者社區法網文字版,或向社會福利署和關愛基金查詢。
記住了,無論申請甚麼社會援助也好,都要誠實,提供的資料要準確和全面。如果申請人或其他家庭成員狀況,有甚麼改變,而這些改變有可能影響到援助金的話,都記得要通知社署,因為蓄意提供假的資料或漏報資料來騙綜援或福利金,不單會喪失領取福利的資格,還可能會惹官非。騙綜援或其他資助,是犯了欺詐罪,最高可被判監禁14年。「社會保障科」轄下的「特別調查組」會調查涉嫌欺詐的個案,還會計算及追收多發放的金錢。
也有一些優惠是「人人有份」的。年滿65歲的老友記,可以申請「長者咭」
Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme
The Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme have been launched since 1 October 2013 and 1 April 2018 respectively to provide cash allowance for eligible Hong Kong elderly people aged 65 or above who choose to reside in Guangdong or Fujian. Eligible applicants can apply for Old Age Allowance (OAA) (Fruit Money)/Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) under Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme.
Eligibility
- The general eligibility criteria of OAA and OALA apply.
- The applicant continues to reside in Guangdong/Fujian while receiving the allowance; and
- The applicant surrenders his/her public rental unit or delete his/her name from the tenancy if he/she is an authorized public housing tenant.
Application procedure
- Applicants are first required to complete the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme Application Form (click hereto download the form) and return the Form to the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme) by post or in person, together with the following supporting documents:
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- photocopies of any documents confirming the applicant’s the applicant’s identity, age, residence in Hong Kong (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card or Birth Certificate etc.);
- photocopies of any documents confirming the applicant’s residential address in Guangdong/Fujian (e.g. rental receipts or utilities bills etc.);
- photocopies of the applicant’s Hong Kong bank account (e.g. first page of bank account passbook or bank statement etc.); and
- two recent photos.
- The postal address is:
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Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme)
Unit 2110-2111, 21/F., Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
- Applicants can also make an application by online form.
- When the application is received, an officer of the Social Welfare Department may ask for supplementary information if necessary.
- An officer of the Social Welfare Department will then make arrangements with the applicant for an interview at the Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme). The applicant has to attend the interview in person in Hong Kong and provide the relevant documents in order to complete the application.
- For applicants who have already settled in Guangdong and can produce medical proof(s) issued by public hospital/clinic indicating that they may not be able to travel to Hong Kong for the application due to health condition, the Social Welfare Department will request its agent to assist the applicants in completing the application procedures.
Receiving the allowance
The allowance will be deposited to the Hong Kong bank account designated by the applicant. For elderly persons who are unable to open a bank account in Hong Kong, they may authorise a relative or friend to receive the payment on their behalf. If recipients want to transfer the allowance to Guangdong/Fujian, they have to make the arrangements themselves and pay for any fees charged for the transfer.
Enquiries
Guangdong Scheme/Fujian Scheme hotline: 3105 3266
Social Security Field Unit (Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme)
Address: Unit 2110-2111, 21/F., Landmark North, 39 Lung Sum Avenue, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
Website: https://www.swd.gov.hk/gds/index_e.html (Guangdong Scheme)
https://www.swd.gov.hk/fjs/index_e.html (Fujian Scheme)
You can download the Application for Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme Guidance Notes here.