TNAG-1610-FCO40-22132-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 235

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.