Carer allowance 2026: HK$3,000 a month for carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities

What is the carer allowance, and how do the two schemes differ?

The SWD runs two carer living allowances: the elderly scheme supports low-income carers of elderly persons and has been regularised under the SWD since October 2023; the disability scheme supports low-income carers of persons with disabilities. The amounts are the same — the main difference is the conditions the care recipient must meet. For the wider picture of carer support, including respite services and carer support centres, see financial and emotional preparation for carers.

Compiled from SWD service briefs (elderly scheme, June 2025; disability scheme, August 2026). Caring for more than one person requires assessment by the approved service unit. Amounts and arrangements are subject to the latest SWD announcements.

What eligibility conditions apply to the carer?

The carer must be a Hong Kong resident living in Hong Kong, have no employment relationship with the care recipient, provide at least 80 hours of care a month (at least 120 hours combined for more than one person), and have household monthly income not exceeding 75% of the median monthly domestic household income for the household size. Only income is tested — assets are not counted.

• Residence: the carer must be a Hong Kong resident living in Hong Kong.
• No employment relationship: a person employed to provide care (for example, a hired foreign domestic helper) is not an eligible carer.
• Care hours: at least 80 hours a month for one person; at least 120 hours combined for more than one.
• Income test: household monthly income not exceeding 75% of the median for the household size, with no asset test. The limits are updated periodically, so check the latest figures with the SWD before applying.
• No concurrent benefits: under the elderly-carer scheme the carer must not be receiving CSSA, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance; the disability-carer scheme lists slightly different benefits (for example the Old Age Allowance), so check the SWD's terms.
• The same care recipient cannot be claimed for under both carer schemes.

Income limits vary by household size and are updated periodically; this article does not list amounts. Eligibility details are subject to the latest SWD announcements.

What conditions must the elderly person or person with disabilities meet?

The care recipient must also be a Hong Kong resident living in Hong Kong, be on the relevant waiting list and be living in the community. In other words, the allowance targets families caring for someone at home while they wait for services — not cases already in residential care.

• Elderly person (elderly scheme): assessed under the SWD's Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services as suitable for community and/or residential care, and on the Central Waiting List for subsidised long-term care services; must live in the community and not be using residential care during application and receipt.
• Person with disabilities (disability scheme): on the waiting list for specified rehabilitation services, special school boarding or Hospital Authority convalescent services at the time of application; must live in the community and not be using those residential, boarding or convalescent services.
• Only one carer may apply for each care recipient.

The assessment mechanism, waiting lists and specified services are subject to the latest SWD announcements; for waiting and choosing long-term care, see our long-term care planning content.

How do you apply for the carer allowance?

The carer applies to the SWD Carers Allowance Unit. Because payment starts from the later of the date the SWD receives the complete application or the date of eligibility, it makes sense to prepare documents and apply as soon as both sides qualify.

1. 1. Check eligibility on both sidesFor the carer: living in Hong Kong, no employment relationship, at least 80 hours of care a month, household income within 75% of the median, and not receiving CSSA, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance. For the care recipient: on the relevant waiting list and living in the community.
2. 2. Prepare the documentsUsually copies of identity documents for the carer and household members, a copy of the care recipient's identity document, the original signed bank authorisation form (GF 179A), and a copy of the first page of the carer's bank passbook or statement.
3. 3. Submit to the SWD Carers Allowance UnitApply by post, in person, or through the online form with an iAM Smart+ (智方便+) digital signature.
4. 4. Follow-up by a service unit after approvalOnce approved, the SWD refers the case to an approved service unit (usually an NGO) for follow-up and support; for applications covering more than one person, the service unit also assesses the carer's capability.

Application channels, documents and processing arrangements are subject to the latest SWD announcements.

Can the carer allowance be received alongside other benefits?

Separate the carer from the care recipient. The carer must not be receiving CSSA, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance. Benefits the elderly person or person with disabilities receives in their own right, such as Disability Allowance or Old Age Living Allowance, are a separate matter — check the care recipient's own case with the SWD.

• A carer aged 65 or above who is already receiving Old Age Living Allowance does not meet the carer allowance conditions, so compare the two before deciding.
• For the care recipient's medical costs, other schemes such as the Elderly Health Care Voucher may help; for community care services, see community care service vouchers.
• In families employing a domestic helper, the helper is not an eligible carer because of the employment relationship; whether a family member qualifies depends on their own care hours and other conditions.

The illustrative case is for explanation only, is not a real client and does not indicate any application outcome. Individual eligibility and whether other benefits can be received alongside are subject to the latest SWD announcements and assessment.

What role does the carer allowance play in a family's care plan?

HK$3,000 a month helps with a carer's living costs, but it is support during the waiting period and does not replace long-term care planning. Once the care recipient moves into residential care, the conditions are no longer met, and an elderly parent's care needs often grow with age — so families should budget early for residential care, community services and medical costs.

• Treat the allowance as transitional support: track the waiting list and learn about long-term care options and costs in advance.
• Discuss roles and costs with siblings so the caring load does not fall on one person.
• Carers should also protect their own retirement savings and wellbeing — cutting back on work to care affects long-term finances.
• To bring parents' care, medical and retirement arrangements together, see planning for parents or learn how Well Plan helps.

Carer allowance conditions are subject to the latest SWD announcements. This article is general educational information, not personal financial or benefits advice.