In Hong Kong, with an aging population, caregiving has become an unavoidable topic for every family. Many elderly people wish to age in place: staying in a familiar community and environment. However, with children busy at work and a lack of professional nursing staff at home, this wish is often difficult to fulfill.

While there are government-subsidized elderly day care centers or enhanced home care services, the waiting times are often long. To fill this gap, the Social Welfare Department has regularized the Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) for the Elderly. By 2026, the CCSV has become a vital support for many families seeking home-based care.

What exactly does this voucher include? How do you apply? How much does it cost? This article provides the most detailed 2026 guide for you.

What is the CCSV? Core Concepts Explained

The Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) Scheme for the Elderly is a significant government policy that breaks traditional subsidy models.

The "Money-Follows-the-User" Concept

In traditional subsidies, people wait for institutions; the government funds NGOs, and the elderly passively wait for a vacancy. The CCSV operates on a "money-follows-the-user" basis: the government issues electronic vouchers directly to eligible seniors. Like using a consumption voucher, seniors can freely choose and purchase suitable services from recognized service providers across 18 districts (including NGOs, private organizations, and social enterprises).

Flexible Mixed Mode

The greatest advantage of the CCSV is the "mixed mode." Seniors are not forced to choose between "going to a center" or "staying at home." They can choose both:

1. Center-based: Attending day care centers for activities, rehabilitation training, and social gatherings.

2. Home-based: Professional staff coming to the home for wound care, assistance with daily activities like bathing and toileting, physical therapy, or household cleaning.

This flexibility is ideal for seniors with fluctuating conditions or varying care needs.

Who is Eligible? (2026 Application Threshold)

Not all seniors over 60 can apply. Applicants must meet the following three conditions simultaneously:

Basic Conditions: Aged 60 or above; or Aged 60 to 64 with proven specific rehabilitation needs.

Physical Function Assessment: 

Must undergo the Social Welfare Department’s Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services. The assessment must result in "Moderate Impairment" or "Severe Impairment." This means the elder requires assistance with daily activities (such as bathing, dressing, toileting, moving) or cognitive abilities.

Waiting List Status: 

The senior must be on the Central Waiting List (CWL) for Subsidised Long-term Care Services. Pro Tip: If the elder is waiting for a subsidized residential care home (government nursing home), applying for a CCSV will not cause them to lose their spot on the list. Their status will temporarily become "Inactive." If their health deteriorates and they urgently need to move into a home, they can switch back to "Active" status at any time. This is a flexible arrangement that covers both home and institutional needs.

What Services Can use CCSV?

Many families think the CCSV is only for "hiring someone to come over," but its coverage is actually quite broad. Any item provided by a recognized service unit that fits the individual's Care Plan can be paid for using the voucher.

Specific service categories include:

• -  Rehabilitation Therapy: Physical Therapy (PT) or Occupational Therapy (OT) at home or in a center, post-stroke care, and cognitive training.
• -  Nursing Services: Registered Nurses (RN) or Enrolled Nurses (EN) coming to the home for wound management, changing gastric or urinary tubes, medication management, and peritoneal dialysis care.
• -  Personal Care: Caregivers assisting with bathing, feeding, changing diapers, and lifting/transferring.
• -  Home Support: Household cleaning and, in some cases, meal delivery services.
• -  Escort Services: Escorts accompanying the senior to and from hospitals or clinics for follow-up appointments.
• -  Caregiver Support: Respite services to give family members a break, and counseling provided by social workers.
• -  Value-added Services: Some organizations like YDCare provide specialized services such as pain relief massage and speech therapy.

Payment Model and Co-payment Table

The CCSV is not entirely free; it uses a "means-tested" co-payment mechanism. The Social Welfare Department reviews the income of the senior and co-living family members (usually not assets) to categorize applicants into six levels (I to VI).

• -  Government Subsidy: Pays for 60% to 95% of the service fee.
• -  User Co-payment: Pays for 5% to 40% of the service fee.

Voucher Package Value

Seniors can choose different voucher face values based on their needs (e.g., ranging from a minimum of approx. $4,000 to a maximum of approx. $10,664, depending on the figures announced by the department for that year).

Step-by-Step Application Guide: From Referral to Service

The application process may seem complex but follows these four steps:

Step 1: Seek Professional Referral

Seniors or families cannot send a form to the department themselves. You must contact a social worker (responsible worker) at the following units to request a CCSV application and a standardized assessment:

1. District Elderly Community Centres (DECC) / Neighbourhood Elderly Centres (NEC) (for seniors living in the community) - This is the recommended route.

2. Medical Social Services Units (for seniors currently in the hospital).

3. Integrated Family Service Centres.

Step 2: Undergo Standardized Assessment

The department will arrange for a recognized assessor to conduct a home visit or hospital assessment.

- Timeframe: Approx. 4-8 weeks, depending on the district.

- Content: Assessing care needs and the degree of physical/cognitive impairment.

Step 3: Receive Invitation Letter and Certificate

Once the assessment is passed (moderate or severe impairment) and a voucher quota is available, the department will send an invitation letter.

Complete the enclosed application and income declaration forms. After approval, the department will mail the "Community Care Service Voucher Certificate," listing your payment level and effective date.

Step 4: Select and Purchase Services

This is the most crucial step. The senior needs to contact a recognized service provider (such as YDCare). The organization will send staff to discuss and formulate an Individual Care Plan (ICP). Services can begin after signing the contract.

2026 List of Organizations Accepting CCSV Applications

There are many elderly centers across the 18 districts of Hong Kong that can assist with referral applications. To help you find the nearest assistance point, we have organized the latest list for 2026. As the list is extensive, we recommend clicking the link below to search by your residential area (e.g., Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Central and Western):

Click to view: 2026 List of Organizations for CCSV Application and Referral byDistrict

(Tip: Choosing an elderly center near your home makes future follow-ups more convenient.)

FAQ

Q: If I apply for the CCSV, can I still hire a domestic helper?

A: Yes. There is no conflict between the two. In fact, many families use a "Domestic Helper + CCSV" dual-track approach. The helper handles daily housework and basic monitoring, while the CCSV is used for professional nurses to clean wounds or physical therapists for rehab, filling the gaps in a helper's professional knowledge.

Q: How long does it usually take from application to someone arriving at home?

A: For new cases, it takes about 1-2 months from seeing a social worker to completing the assessment. After receiving the certificate, finding an agency takes about 1-2 weeks. The total timeframe is about 2 to 4 months. Compared to waiting for a nursing home or government-subsidized home services (IHCS) which can take over six months, the CCSV is the fastest route.

Q: If I am dissatisfied with the current service provider, can I switch?

A: Absolutely. This is the greatest right under the CCSV. Simply notify the current agency to stop services (usually requiring a notice period), and you can take your voucher to another agency without needing re-approval from the department.

Q: Can I use more than one service provider at the same time?

A: Yes. According to the current mechanism, a voucher holder can purchase services from up to two recognized service units in the same month. This allows for more flexibility, such as choosing a day care center for social activities and another home care agency for bathing or rehab services. However, coordinating between two agencies may require more effort from the family (e.g., handover of records). Therefore, many savvy caregivers prefer providers like YDCare that offer comprehensive services under one professional team.

Why Choose YDCare?

When you hold a voucher and face hundreds of agencies, how do you choose? General agencies often only focus on "dispatching staff," leading to inconsistent quality and leaving families with no one to turn to when problems arise.

YDCare redefines the standard of home care. We are not just an agency; we are your family's health manager.

1.  Supervision by Full-time Nurse Managers

This is a core advantage of YDCare. Very few private care companies in Hong Kong employ full-time Nurse Managers.

• -  Professional Consultation: You don't have to wait for a hospital follow-up to ask questions. If there is an emergency or you don't know how to handle a situation, our clients can seek professional advice from the Nurse Manager at any time.
• -  Case Management: The Nurse Manager proactively reviews the effectiveness of the care plan to ensure the elder receives the most appropriate care.

2. Evening and Overnight Care Services

The pressure on caregivers often peaks late at night. Many seniors experience frequent night urination or "sundowning" (nocturnal confusion), leaving families exhausted.

• -   24/7 Support: While most agencies only provide daytime services, YDCare understands that care is a 24-hour challenge. We provide evening and overnight care services, with trained staff monitoring the senior's toilet needs and preventing falls throughout the night.
• -   Peace of Mind: This allows you to sleep well so you have the energy to work or care for your family the next day.

3.  100% Face-to-Face Interviews and Handover Reports

We understand the concern of bringing strangers into your home.

• -  Strict Screening: Every caregiver at YDCare (whether a domestic assistant or health worker) must pass a face-to-face interview and credential verification. We never perform blind matching.
• -  High Transparency: We require staff to submit nursing handover reports. What did the elder eat today? How is the wound? What is the rehab progress? Family members can see everything at a glance, providing peace of mind even when you aren't there.

4. Diverse Services Beyond the Standard

Care should be personalized, not a rigid package. Beyond standard nursing and rehab, we offer pain relief massage therapy to effectively alleviate joint pain and improve quality of life.

From domestic assistants to professional therapists, our spectrum of services is flexible and can be adjusted anytime as the senior's condition changes.

Don't let complicated caregiving tasks overwhelm your life. Make good use of the 2026 CCSV Community Care Service Voucher and choose the most professional partner.

Contact the YDCare nursing team today to schedule a free care consultation and let us create the most suitable aging-in-place plan for you.