Community Care Fund HK$6,000 subsidy: full application guide for low-income new migrants

The Community Care Fund released details of its “one-off new arrivals subsidy”: applications run from 3 October 2011 to 30 June 2012, with about 230,000 low-income new migrants expected to qualify and payments starting in early November — roughly when the first Hong Kong residents get theirs.

How are eligibility and income limits assessed?

Applicants must pass a household means test based on average household income for the three months before applying, within the set limits for 1- to 6-person households. Those currently over the limit may choose three lower-income months to declare. Anyone meeting the income test by 30 June 2012 may still apply — the Fund has reserved an extra HK$70 million for 10,000 additional applications.

What is the application process?

1. From 30 Sept: forms available on the Community Care Fund website.
2. From 3 Oct: collect forms at Social Welfare, Home Affairs and Labour Department offices; submissions open.
3. Within a week of submission: the secretariat acknowledges receipt; a 160-strong team vets cases.
4. From early Nov: payments begin — by bank transfer or by collecting a crossed cheque in person.

Committee chairman Law Chi-kwong stressed there would be no phased rollout, to avoid confusion; if eligible numbers far exceed estimates, the Fund will seek top-up funding from the government rather than dip into its capital, and any surplus returns to the government. Enquiries: Community Care Fund hotline 3118-1818.