The Government will launch a three-year “Pilot Scheme for Elderly Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance to Reside in Residential Care Homes in Guangdong” on October 1.

Funded by the Community Care Fund, the scheme offers subsidies to elderly recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) who choose to retire in Guangdong, allowing them to reside in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong. A quota of 1,000 eligible participants will each receive a monthly subsidy of $5,000.

Applicants must have already joined the Portable CSSA (PCSSA) Scheme or be eligible to do so; reside in designated RCHEs; and not be concurrently receiving any other subsidy for residential care services from the Social Welfare Department or other organisations.

In addition to cash assistance under the PCSSA Scheme, elderly participants in the pilot scheme will receive a monthly subsidy of $5,000 to cover the costs of residing in RCHEs and related living expenses.

The Social Welfare Department has commissioned the New Home Association as the approved service provider (ASP) to assist in implementing the scheme.

Starting from October 1, eligible elderly CSSA recipients can apply to the ASP or social security field unit responsible for their case. ASPs will provide relevant information about designated RCHEs to help recipients and their family members select suitable RCHEs and file their applications.

Upon completion of vetting procedures, the Social Welfare Department will issue notification letters to applicants to inform them of the outcome of their application and the relevant subsidy disbursement arrangements.

ASPs will organise experience tours to some of the designated RCHEs, giving participants an opportunity to view the facilities and experience the services in order to select a suitable care home. Tentatively, the first experience tour will be held in November.

The Social Welfare Department will issue letters to eligible elderly CSSA recipients in batches to promote the pilot scheme and invite them to join the experience tours.

Since March, the Housing Authority has adopted a more flexible tenancy arrangement, providing a longer adaptation period for elderly persons who choose to retire on the Mainland.

Elderly Public Rental Housing (PRH) tenants participating in the pilot scheme can retain their existing PRH units or tenancies for six months, starting from their departure from Hong Kong to retire in the Mainland. The arrangement is also applicable to the elderly residents of Housing Society rental estates.

Call 3422 3090 or 2815 7399 for enquiries.