Poor elderly not on welfare may get rent and medical help

Rent subsidies and medical discounts for poor elderly people outside the welfare net are being considered by a high-level commission.

Sources from the Commission on Poverty said measures were needed to help underprivileged elderly people too proud to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) or not quite poor enough to qualify for help.

According to government figures, about 100,000 elderly people live on their own in the city, and another 200,000 live only with their spouses. It is not known how many of them are so-called 'hidden' ones living in poverty.

Senior commission members and government officials have held preliminary talks about giving such elderly people living in public housing estates a rent discount, and providing rent allowances for those renting flats in private blocks who have passed a means test. They could also receive discounts on public hospital and clinic fees.

Elderly people on CSSA get free health services and have their rent paid.

The amounts of the allowances and discounts have not been discussed in detail, but a source said each proposal would cost the government between HK$100 million and HK$300 million a year.

The commission will continue its discussions on Tuesday.