Focus on Hong Kong Investment Immigration and Life in Hong Kong: Governance for the people, prioritizing poverty alleviation. Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong reiterated the government's commitment to poverty alleviation on the 2nd. Law revealed that next year, a basket of social welfare benefits will be adjusted, including the elderly allowance benefiting over 400,000 people, which will increase by 3.4%. The "Policy Address" in January will also propose appropriate measures to assist working poor families.
Poverty alleviation is a top priority for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Early in his term, to ensure that over 400,000 elderly people aged 65 or above who meet income and asset criteria have support, a monthly elderly living allowance of HKD 2,200 was introduced. As of November 1, the government has disbursed this allowance to 403,000 elderly individuals.
Yesterday, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong stated at an event that according to the existing mechanism and based on the changes in the social assistance price index, the government will apply for funding from the Legislative Council's Finance Committee next month, and all beneficiaries under social security will receive a "pay increase" starting in February next year. The elderly living allowance will increase by at least 3.4%, from HKD 2,200 to HKD 2,275; Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) and Old Age Allowance will increase by at least 3.7%; and the maximum rent under CSSA will be raised by at least approximately 5.9%.
Over 400,000 people will benefit from the increase in the elderly living allowance.
Law Chi-kwong indicated that after reviewing the social security assistance index for October, all allowances related to social welfare, especially CSSA, Old Age Allowance, Disability Allowance, and the elderly living allowance, will be increased in February next year. Since the government calculates all allowances based on a 12-month moving average, the elderly living allowance implemented in December last year has not yet included October's data, and it is estimated to increase by at least 3.4%, approximately HKD 75, but adjustments will depend on October's data. The increases for CSSA, Old Age Allowance, and Disability Allowance will be 3.7%, and the maximum rent under CSSA will also be raised by 5.9%. The actual figures will be announced in December when the government applies for funding from the Legislative Council's Finance Committee.
Regarding the increase of only 3.4% for the elderly living allowance, which is lower than the 3.7% for CSSA, Old Age Allowance, and Disability Allowance, Law explained: "The elderly living allowance is calculated from December last year, but CSSA and Old Age Allowance have been in place for a long time, and they have a normal cycle of 12 months. The elderly living allowance has only been counted for 11 months since it started in December last year, which is why it is one month less. However, the difference is not significant; you can see it is between 3.4% and 3.7%. But the next adjustment for the elderly living allowance will follow the normal cycle, and it should be done consistently for everyone."
Transport discounts will include dedicated minibuses.
Mr. Lee, over 70, and Mrs. Hsu both stated that the elderly living allowance is double the previous Old Age Allowance. Although they have children to support them, "there is extra money, and we can usually buy some snacks and small gifts for our grandchildren." When asked about the adjustment of the elderly living allowance at the beginning of next year, both elderly individuals smiled and said, "No matter how much it increases, the most important thing is that it increases."
Law Chi-kwong also mentioned that currently, 660,000 people benefit from the HKD 2 transport discount for the elderly, and the government is studying the expansion of this discount to green dedicated minibuses to benefit more elderly individuals.