What is Community Care Fund (CCF) in Hong Kong?

The Community Care Fund (CCF) is a government fund that aims to fill the gaps for people with financial or special needs not fully covered by existing welfare schemes. It covers various aspects, including:

• Medical Assistance, e.g. Subsidies for purchasing cures of rare diseases, renting medical equipment, elderly dental services etc.
• Educational Subsidies, e.g. for textbooks, short term courses, qualification assessments, as well as academic expenses
• Housing and living support, e.g. rental subsidies, emergency assistance and transitional housing support
• and, One-off or short-term relief for special circumstances

The Community Care Fund regularly launches new assistance programmes according to community needs. Applications are handled through schools, social welfare organisations, or the Hospital Authority.

Source:

https://www.communitycarefund.hk/tc/about_ccf.html 

https://www.communitycarefund.hk/tc/assistance.html

Most Community Care Fund programmes have income and asset limits to ensure help reaches those genuinely in financial need. For example, eligibility for medical subsidies schemes are assessed based on the applicant’s household income and assets; education-related assistance often aligns with eligibility for CSSA or full textbook grants. However, specific thresholds vary by programme, so it’s best to check details with the relevant agency, Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department, the District Social Welfare Offices, or official websites before applying.

Source:

https://www.communitycarefund.hk/download/Allowance_for_Carers_of_Elderly_Persons_chi.pdf 

https://www.communitycarefund.hk/tc/faq.html

For carers and care recipients, the Community Care Fund mainly offers medical cost assistance and support for essential living expenses. For example: 

• Helping cover expensive self-financed drugs (like cancer or rare disease treatments)
• Funding for medical devices and rehabilitation aids
• Emergency living subsidies to help low-income families through tough times
  

The Fund occasionally rolls out special schemes, such as one-off support during the pandemic. To apply, speak to a social worker, family service centre, or hospital medical social worker, to assess your eligibility for the services and support, as well as acquiring assistance for paperwork.

Besides, the SAR government has established the “Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers” with the District Services and Community Care Teams, in order to spot carers/ caregivers in need, and refer them to welfare departments, making vulnerable carers/caregivers able to be seen, and gain assistance from the community care funds.