How Can Full-Time Caregivers Get an Extra HK$6,000 Per Month? Practical Tips for Declaring 80 Hours of Work Hours for SWD's "Carer Living Allowance"

Caring for family members is hard work. In fact, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has a "Living Allowance Scheme for Low-Income Family Carers," which provides a subsidy of up to HK3,000∗∗permonth.Togetherwithadditionalsubsidiesinsomedistricts,thetotalcanreach∗∗HK3,000∗∗permonth.Togetherwithadditionalsubsidiesinsomedistricts,thetotalcanreach∗∗HK6,000 per month! This caregiver allowance is specifically designed for full-time elderly carers to help with daily expenses.

To apply for the Carer Living Allowance, several conditions must be met: the elderly care recipient must be on the SWD's waiting list for long-term care services and living in the community; monthly caregiving hours must be at least 80 hours; the applicant must come from a low-income family (monthly income limit of HK18,000fora1−personhousehold,HK18,000fora1−personhousehold,HK24,225 for 2 persons), with assets not counted. The current allowance is HK$3,000 per person per month; if caring for more than one elderly person, the total hours must reach 120 hours, and the allowance amount will increase accordingly.

Practical Tips for Declaring 80 Hours of Work Hours: Caregiving duties include meal preparation, housework, medication management, assisting with mobility, toileting, and personal hygiene. If the elderly person has behavioral or emotional issues, the time spent comforting them can also be counted. Hours spent attending training sessions are also recognised! Each month, you must submit a "Care Hours Record" to an approved service unit. It is recommended to keep a "Care Log" to record daily support tasks and time. Be sure to submit by the 6th of each month, otherwise the allowance will be delayed until the end of the following month.

Application Process: After the elderly care recipient receives an invitation letter from the SWD, they can submit the application themselves or with the help of a social worker. Required documents include copies of the carer's and the elderly person's ID cards, a bank authorisation letter, and proof of bank account. Once approved, the allowance will be deposited directly into the designated bank account.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, don't miss out on this financial support for caregivers – it can ease your family's financial burden while ensuring you have the capacity to continue caring for your loved ones with dedication.