Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department (SWD) has launched a free cross-border remittance service for elderly recipients of portable cash assistance.

Proposed in the 2025 Policy Address, this initiative allows seniors in Guangdong and Fujian provinces to receive payments directly into Hong Kong dollar accounts at designated Mainland banks.

Eligible welfare programmes include the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) under the Portable CSSA Scheme.

Coverage also extends to the Old Age Living Allowance and the Old Age Allowance under the Guangdong and Fujian Schemes, both of which fall under the wider Social Security Allowance Scheme.

Applicants must hold a Type I Hong Kong dollar account to qualify for the direct transfer.

Applicants must open these accounts at the Guangdong or Fujian branches of either the Bank of China or the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Elderly recipients seeking to use the service must submit documentary proof of their designated Mainland bank accounts to the SWD.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by Lifestylememory via Magnific