The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has launched the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly in September 2013. The eligible elderly persons can use Community Care Service Voucher to purchase community care services (CCS) that suit their individual needs to support their ageing in place under the ‘money-following-the-user’ mode.
The Pilot Scheme has become regular government subsidies in September 2023. Number of voucher holders will be increased to 12,000 by 2025/2026.
Elderly persons who have been assessed by SWD’s Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services to have impairment at moderate or severe level and are waitlisting for subsidised CCS and/or residential care services (RCS) on the Central Waiting List (CWL) for Subsidised Long Term Care (LTC) Services without any kind of RCS or subsidised CCS being received are eligible applicants to CCSV. SWD will send invitation letters direct to eligible elderly persons on the CWL to invite them to join the Third Phase of the Pilot Scheme. The elderly persons may approach their responsible workers or the Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) Office of SWD for assistance to complete the application form.
In case the eligible elderly persons have not received the invitation letters, they can contact the CCSV Office at telephone no. 3107 3013 (from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, except public holidays).
Elderly persons may choose any monthly voucher value in–between $4,290 and $10,260 (floor and ceiling for 2023-24, adjusted annually mainly based on Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI)) to purchase service packages according to their needs.
Under the “affordable users pay” principle, the less that the elderly person can afford, the more the Government subsidizes. As such, CCSV users may need to pay 5%, 8%, 12%, 16%, 25% or 40% of service purchased while the government will pay for the remaining amount. Applicable co-payment percentage is determined by household income of elderly and residing family member. Assets will not be assessed.
A voucher certificate will be issued to each eligible elderly person participating in the Pilot Scheme. Voucher certificate holders can then approach recognized service providers directly for an assessment and then start purchasing appropriate services.
Nursing service e.g. injection, dressing
Elder sit service e.g. bathing, feeding, transfer
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy
Escort service
Caregiver training to family member or domestic helper
Home safety assessment and improvement suggestion
Delivery of lunch and dinner