Tens of thousands of impoverished Hongkongers to lose out as government raises threshold for elderly welfare payments from 60 to 65
- The age to be eligible for the comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) scheme will rise on February 1
- Critics of the change say it will deprive many needy citizens aged 60 to 64 of much-needed support
Impoverished Hongkongers between 60 and 64 years old will receive close to a third less in government subsidies from next month as officials on Monday provided details of a move to raise the lower age limit for a financial support scheme.
The government announced in a press release that the age threshold for the elderly comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) scheme would rise to 65 from February 1, up from the current 60.
The CSSA scheme provides a safety net and is intended to help meet basic needs.
Officials announced plans to raise the age limit back in January 2017, in view of the improved life expectancy of Hongkongers and the trend of extending the retirement age to 65.
A government spokesman explained on Monday there would not be a retroactive adjustment. “Persons aged between 60 and 64 who have received elderly CSSA before February 1 this year will be grandfathered and not be affected,” he said.
The spokesman added that CSSA payments to people with disabilities or in ill health would not be affected and they would, regardless of age, continue to receive payments higher than those for able-bodied adults.