Over 340,000 senior citizens benefited from government's OALA scheme

Eligible applicants pocketed $2,200 monthly allowance.

In a report, the Social Welfare Department says more than 340,000 eligible elderly people have received the Old Age Living Allowance so far.

Since the allowance's April implementation, the department had received more than 100,000 applications under "Phase 2 - Postal Submission" and more than 12,000 under "Phase 3 – New Application" as at July 5. About 70,000 eligible elderly have already received payment.

Including beneficiaries under the "Phase 1 - Auto Conversion" arrangement, more than 340,000 eligible elderly have already received the allowance.

The department said it will continue to proactively process all applications so more elderly can receive the allowance to supplement their living expenses.

Introduced under the Social Security Allowance Scheme, the Old Age Living Allowance helps the poor by supplementing the living expenses of Hong Kong people aged 65 or above who are in need of financial support. Eligible elderly will receive a monthly allowance of $2,200.

Those who have met the eligibility criteria and submitted their applications under "Phase 2 - Postal Submission" or "Phase 3 - New Application" by the end of 2013 will be entitled to the allowance.