Caregiver subsidy reaches 80 approved applicants

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) has received a total of 111 applications for the caregiver subsidy program since its implementation in 2020, with 80 of them approved, the agency reported in response to a question from lawmaker Song Pek Kei.

“Currently, the caregiver subsidy can essentially cover low-income caregiver families, allowing them to receive additional financial support to live in the community,” Hon Wai, president of the IAS, stated in his response.

The subsidy program, launched in December 2020, has gradually expanded its reach, becoming a permanent measure in 2023.

Beneficiaries include individuals who require continuous and intensive care, such as those with intellectual disabilities, autism, or severe to profound motor disabilities. Of the 111 applications submitted, 31 were rejected for not meeting the disability criteria or failing the economic assessment.

The IAS clarified that it will not change the existing application process, despite requests for greater flexibility. Hon Wai emphasized the agency’s commitment to maintaining the current system for granting caregiver allowances.

The program has evolved since its inception, transitioning from a pilot project to a permanent measure in 2023.

Beneficiaries currently receive a monthly subsidy of MOP2,175, which aims to alleviate the financial burdens of caregivers.

Despite the agency’s assurances, Song raised concerns about the availability of places in homes for people with intellectual disabilities, particularly as 275 individuals aged between 35 and 44 are set to enter old age in the next 10 years.

In response, the IAS reported that there are currently 13 social facilities in Macau that provide residential services for people with disabilities, offering around 1,060 places.

The agency also revealed plans to create a new home in Zone A of the Novos Aterros development that can accommodate both the elderly and those with intellectual disabilities, though further details have yet to be released. Victoria Chan