Carer allowance is available for family carers taking care of older adults in Hong Kong since the Government launched “Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly persons for Low-income Families” in 2014 (Social Welfare Department, 2019, January 28). The three major eligibility criteria for the scheme are, i) the older adult needs long-term care service (i.e., previously assessed as moderately or severely impaired), ii) the carer is from a low-income family, whose household income does not exceed 75% of the Median Monthly Domestic Household Income, and iii) the carer is providing at least 80 hours of caregiving work per month. Up to September 2020, three phases of the pilot scheme have been rolled out and altogether benefited approximately 6,000 family carers. Eligible carers would receive a monthly cash allowance of HK$2,400, regular carer support service provided by social worker, and recommendations of carer training programme according to their caregiving needs (Social Welfare Department, 2019, January 28).

References:

Social Welfare Department. (2019, January 28). Pilot Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families Phase III.