Government support and care guides
Check eligibility, referrals, documents and application routes for food, rent, children, older people, disability and caring needs. Government assistance and community services have distinct arrangements.
Explore by area or interest, or go straight to the practical steps.
Find your next city
Get to know the areas, transport, and practical details before planning your day.
What would you like to figure out?
16 guides found
CSSA or Social Security Allowance: choosing the right enquiry
Compare household financial support with age or disability allowances before applying to SWD.
Government support and careOALA travel and absence: counting days and reporting changes
Use your payment year, count departure and return dates correctly, and check reporting before a long stay away.
Government support and careCarer allowance eligibility: care needs, waiting lists and overlap
Check the specific carer allowance conditions while seeking practical care support and respite separately.
Government support and careCommunity Care Service Voucher: choosing home or centre care
Start with assessment and invitation, then compare recognised providers, care modes and co-payment.
Government support and careDisability Allowance assessment: medical evidence and care changes
Use the recognised medical assessment and check additional care and institutional conditions for the higher allowance.
Government support and careTemporary difficulty paying public-housing rent: the Rent Assistance Scheme
Ask the estate office about 25% or 50% reductions and full eligibility; private rent and CSSA rent allowance follow other arrangements.
Government support and careChildcare and kindergarten fee remission: the 2026/27 application branches
Check child status, centre type and means and social-needs tests; childcare and kindergarten assistance differ.
Government support and careOld Age Allowance or OALA: distinguish age and means tests
OAA starts at 70 without a means test; OALA starts at 65 with one. They cannot be received together.
Government support and careWhen a carer needs a break: day and residential respite
Separate day and residential care and care suitability; residential respite uses social-worker referral and vacancy is not admission.
Government support and careBook Rehabus for an appointment: register, then confirm the journey
A government-subsidised service operated by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation; check mobility and Hong Kong identity-card eligibility.
Government support and careAfter fire or flooding: emergency relief and the relief fund
Address safety and basic needs first, then identify the responsible department and deadline for the loss category.
Government support and careCaregiving becoming overwhelming: how 182183 can help
Professional social workers answer around the clock for emotional support, crises and respite matching; this is not universal cash assistance.
Government support and careSEN student support: distinguish school resources from personal assistance
Ask the school about learning support and SFO about travel or academic-expense assistance; a diagnosis does not guarantee equal cash.
Government support and careMaintenance not received: arrears records, enforcement and living support
Enforcement and welfare assessment can proceed alongside each other; legal aid requires assessment and does not automatically replace arrears.
Government support and careAffording elderly residential care: vouchers, assessment and co-payment
Vouchers require care-needs assessment, central waiting-list status and invitation; they do not retrospectively reimburse any private home.
Government support and careApply for a Senior Citizen Card: physical, electronic and concession checks
Hong Kong residents aged 65 or over can apply, with the first card free; check electronic access, replacement and concessions separately.
Written for the next step
Compiled by HomeHK with context, practical steps, and official sources. Guides distinguish Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland arrangements. Dates describe the content's preparation, not daily official verification.
Check the official page before acting
Fees, eligibility, capacity, and timetables change. Each guide links to official information for a final check. Seek appropriate individual advice for legal, tax, or medical decisions.