The Portable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme will be extended to Fujian Province, from August 1, the Social Welfare Department announced today.

Also effective from the same date, elderly people who have received Comprehensive Social Security Assistance for one year will be eligible to join the scheme.

Applicants, apart from fulfilling the criteria under the CSSA Scheme, should also be aged 60 or above, be a Hong Kong permanent resident and have lived in Hong Kong for at least seven years.

Scheme recipients are entitled to a monthly standard rate and an annual long-term supplement. 

They may choose to return to Hong Kong at any time to take up permanent residence and receive CSSA in Hong Kong.

As at the end of June, there were about 3,000 active cases since the scheme was implemented in 1997.