Question No.3
REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH & WELFARE
TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDENSDAY, 8 APRIL 1987
Question: Under existing rules, Old Age Allowance
recipients, if away from Hong Kong for up to 90 days, are still eligible for the allowance in respect of the period of absence. Will Government inform this Council whether, to cater for those elderly residents who are away from Hong Kong and are under hospital or medical care for an extended period, it will consider relaxing the rules to allow for a longer period of absence, say from 90 days to 180 days, with provision for hardship cases beyond 180 days on production of suitable medical certificates?
Sir,
Old Age Allowance is a non-means-tested payment
intended to encourage local residents to care for elderly
members of their families, and to meet the extra expenses
arising from old age. It is paid from general revenue and
is not a contributory pension. Residence in Hong Kong is a
necessary qualification for receiving the allowance, but an
absence of 90 days is allowed to permit recipients to visit
relatives and to go on holiday trips outside Hong Kong.
2.
If a recipient's absence from Hong Kong is
prolonged beyond 90 days because of a need for medical
treatment, the elderly person or his relatives should
approach the Social Welfare Department which will consider
the case sympathetically, taking into account the individual
circumstances. In appropriate cases the Department has
discretion to continue payment of Old Age Allowance after an
absence of more than 90 days.