What are the application procedures and the payment arrangement for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme?

Form and Guidance Notes

• Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Registration Form 
• A Guide to Comprehensive Social Security Assistance     
• Pamphlet on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme

The above information can be downloaded from SWD’s website or obtained from any Social Security Field Units
 

Application Procedures

• "iAM Smart+" account owner with signing function enabled can submit the online form directly; or

• Apply by phone/ fax/ e-mail/ in person at the Social Security Field Unit; or
• Download the “Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Registration Form” from the SWD’s website and return the completed form to the Social Security Field Unit by post or in person; or
• Through a referral to SWD by another government department or a non-governmental organisation.

Documents / Information Required

Applicants should seek information from the case officer of the SWD for the documents required after making their applications. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the required documents may include:

• Identity documents (such as Hong Kong Identity Cards (for those aged 11 or above), Birth Certificates (for those aged below 11) and Certificate of Exemption, etc.);
• Marriage certificates or documents of divorce, if applicable;
• Proofs of accommodation expenses (such as rent receipts, rent card, tenancy agreement, receipts of water & sewage charge, demands for rates and receipts of management fee, etc.);
• Proofs of assets (such as bank passbooks and bank statements showing the latest balance, time deposit receipts, insurance policy statements, stocks, proof of property/land ownership and other documentary proofs of valuable possessions, etc.);
• Proofs of educational expenses (such as receipts of school fee and school bus fee, etc.) and student handbooks;
• Travel documents (such as Passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Re-entry Permit, HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes, Hong Kong Entry Permit, Home Visit Permit and One-way Permit, etc.);
• Proofs of income (such as Mandatory Provident Fund pay-records, pay slips and, employer’s statement, etc.);
• Medical follow-up cards/appointment slips;
• Proofs of financial relationship with other family members (including parents and siblings); or
• Other relevant documents as required by SWD.

Where necessary, SWD will make enquiries to the Health Department/ Hospital Authority for medical reports, or the applicant’s employer/ex-employer for verification. SWD will also seek information related to the applicant and his/her family members from the Immigration Department, other government departments, banks and other organizations.

Persons Unable to Make Application by Himself/herself

If an applicant is aged below 18 without a parent or legal guardian or is an adult aged 18 or above who has been medically certified to be unfit to make a statement on his/her own, an appointee will be appointed by the Director of Social Welfare to act on his/her behalf. Please contact the Social Security Field Unit for details.

Application Procedures, Payment Arrangements and Permissible Limits of Absence from Hong Kong During Receipt of Payment

Application Procedures

• Upon receipt of the application, SWD will conduct investigation and verification of the applicant’s circumstances and information provided through office interview and home visit. All the application procedures are to be processed in Hong Kong.

• Under normal circumstances, once the interview is completed and if the applicant or his/her guardian/appointee can provide all the necessary information, the application process can be completed within 4 weeks. SWD will issue a notification letter to the applicant.

• If the application is successful, a detailed breakdown of the components of the monthly payment, pay-day, payment method and period of payment will be indicated in the notification letter.
• If the application is unsuccessful, the reason(s) for rejection will be given in the notification letter. If the applicant is not satisfied with the decision made by SWD, he/she has the right to lodge an appeal with the Social Security Appeal Board.

Payment Arrangements

• CSSA payment will be calculated from the date of receipt of the application by SWD (or the date of application or referral if the application is referred by another organization) or the date of eligibility, whichever is the later.
• The pay-day will be contained in the notification letter (pay-day can be any day between the 1st to 28th of a month and will vary from case to case). The monthly entitlement usually starts 1 month after the date of application.
• Able-bodied unemployed adults aged 15-59 are required to participate in the Support for Self-reliance (SFS) Scheme as a condition of receiving assistance.
• The payment is usually credited to the applicant's/ guardian's/ appointee's designated bank account in Hong Kong (joint bank account is not accepted) once a month.
• Under exceptional circumstances, special delivery of cash directly to the applicant can be arranged. For urgent cases, cash payment may be paid to the applicant at the Social Security Field Unit.

Permissible Limits of Absence from Hong Kong During Receipt of Payment

• A recipient’s temporary absences from Hong Kong will not affect the amount of assistance payable on condition that the total number of days of absence in a payment year (which is counted from 1 July to 30 June of the following year) does not exceed the permissible limit as follows :
  • Recipients who are old or medically certified to be disabled: 180 days per year
  • Other recipients: 60 days per year 
    • If there are special reasons why these recipients have to leave Hong Kong for more than 60 days in a year, the permissible limit of absence from Hong Kong can be extended up to a maximum of 90 days at the discretion of the Director of Social Welfare.
• Consideration can be given to disregarding a recipient’s absence from Hong Kong arising from paid employment outside Hong Kong on condition that there is documentary evidence to prove that working hours per month and earnings per month are no less than the prescribed levels as defined by SWD.
• Please click here for details on the permissible limits of absence from Hong Kong during receipt of payment.

For other enquiries:

Please visit the CSSA Scheme website; or
Visit your nearest Social Security Field Unit.