To help those in need, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Monday began distributing a one-off extra allowance to 1.71 million social security recipients and 56,000 low-income working households in the city.

The SAR government said in a statement that the extra allowance, which involves HK$3.084 billion ($393 million) in extra expenditure, is equivalent to one half of the monthly allowance provided to social security recipients.

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Those who get the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance can receive between HK$1,495 up to HK$3,573 while those who receive the Disability Allowance can get up to HK$2,095.

Old Age Allowance recipients can have up to HK$820 while low-income households that get the Working Family Allowance will also receive an extra payment.

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To be eligible, residents should have been eligible for social security payments on April 30, 2025 while working households should have had their WFA applications made between Oct 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025.

The extra allowance will be credited to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of the eligible recipients and households and no separate application is required.