The Hong Kong government will offer a monthly subsidy of HK$5,000 to up to 1,000 elderly social security recipients if they want to move to care homes in China’s Guangdong Province, the city’s leader said. Chief Executive John Lee announced the three-year pilot scheme, for subsidising elderly recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) retiring in Guangdong, during his 2024 Policy Address on Wednesday. Each eligible elderly person will receive a monthly subsidy of HK$5,000 to live in a designated care home in Guangdong, subject to a quota of 1,000.
Eligible elderly Hong Kong residents who choose to live in the mainland province can already have their means-tested monthly pension of HK$4,195 paid there, as well as an allowance of HK$1,620 per month. The Hong Kong leader pledged on Wednesday that the government would also provide more choices and support to seniors under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong. The number of residential care homes taking part in the scheme would be raised from four to 11 in November, while the medical expenses of the elderly participants would also be shouldered by the Hong Kong government.
On Wednesday, Lee also announced an increase in the total number of vouchers under the Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly by 20 per cent to 6,000. The move would allow more frail elderly people to be admitted to Hong Kong care homes of their choice and receive subsidised care services without waiting, he s.
