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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」
PrintOld Age Allowance (fruit money)
Old Age Allowance (fruit money) under the Social Security Allowance Scheme is available for Hong Kong residents aged 70 or above to meet special needs arising from old age. The amount of assistance payable per month of Old Age Allowance is HK$1,620.
The Scheme is non-means-tested.
Eligibility
The applicant must:
- be aged 70 or above;
- have been a Hong Kong resident for at least seven years and have resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year immediately before the date of application (see Note below);
- not be in receipt of any other allowance under the Social Security Allowance Scheme or assistance under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme;
- continue to reside in Hong Kong during receipt of payment; and
- not be detained in legal custody or admitted to a penal institution.
Note:
Continuously means not having resided outside Hong Kong for more than 90 days during that one-year period.
Consideration can be given to disregarding absences arising from paid work or medical treatment outside Hong Kong during the one-year period, subject to the availability of sufficient documentary proof and a valid reason.
How can I apply for the Old Age Allowance?
- The applicant or his/her relative/friend can make an application for the Old Age Allowance directly to a social security field unit near to his/her place of residence by phone, by fax, by e-mail, by post, by online form or in person.
- An application may also be made through a referral to the Social Welfare Department by another government department or a non-governmental organisation.
- The applicant can also download the “Social Security Allowance Application Form” and “Application for Social Security Allowance Guidance Notes” and return the completed application form together with photocopies of relevant supporting documents to the social security field unit by post or in person.
- As soon as the application is received, an officer of the Social Welfare Department will make arrangements for an interview with the applicant.
For more details on the Old Age Allowance, please visit the Social Welfare Department’s website.