![[Driver's Award] Compensation for Traffic Accident Injuries and Fatalities to Passengers and Pedestrians | Eligibility | Calculation Method of Subsidy Amount](assets/blog/2025_12_tavas_scheme.webp "[Driver's Award] Compensation for Traffic Accident Injuries and Fatalities to Passengers and Pedestrians | Eligibility | Calculation Method of Subsidy Amount")
[Driver's Award] Compensation for Traffic Accident Injuries and Fatalities to Passengers and Pedestrians | Eligibility | Calculation Method of Subsidy Amount
Author:
Kwiksure Team
Created On:
2026-01-02
Edited On:
2026-01-02
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Traffic accidents are not uncommon on Hong Kong roads. In addition to drivers and vehicles, passengers or pedestrians who are unfortunately injured in an accident can also apply for the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme, what is commonly known as the "driver's award”, to alleviate the immediate crisis. Kwiksure will share with you the driver's award benefits, calculation methods, application qualifications and procedures.
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What should you do if you are injured in a traffic accident?
According to Police Region's Traffic accident figures for the first 11 months of 2025, there were 15,261 Traffic accidents, including 81 fatal traffic accidents and 398 serious traffic accidents. If you are unfortunately injured in a traffic accident, you must follow these steps:
- Call the police immediately.
- Receive medical treatment
- Retain all supporting documents (including but not limited to: doctor's notes, medical receipts, police statements, etc.).
What is the Traffic Accident Assistance Program (Driver's Award)?
Depend on the Social Welfare Department, the purpose of the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme (Driver's Award) is to provide financial assistance to the injured or deceased, or their families, as early as possible, regardless of who is at fault in the traffic accident. The beneficiary's financial situation will not be taken into consideration.The aid is only provided for injuries or death of the injured party; property loss is not covered. Note that if other compensation is received for the same accident, the traffic accident injury/death aid or compensation received must be returned, whichever is less.
Driver's Award | Eligibility
- The relevant traffic accident must fall under the category of Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) Ordinance as defined in Chapter 229 of the Laws of Hong Kong, and a police report has been filed.
- The victim was legally residing in Hong Kong at the time of the accident.
- Applicants may only claim the "compassion allowance" once every two years.
- Applications must be submitted within 6 months of the incident (excluding the day of the incident; however, if the last day of the period is a public holiday or a storm warning signal (Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above) is hoisted, the period includes the next normal working day).
- The victim dies/is permanently disabled due to the accident; or is hospitalized for no less than 7 days; or is granted sick leave of no less than 7 days with a certificate from a registered doctor/registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioner (if the accident occurs before 00:00 on June 28, 2025, then sick leave of no less than 3 days is required).
Driver's Award | Calculation of Subsidy Amount
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Details of the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme (in Hong Kong dollars) |
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Payments received in the event of death or injury |
Subsidy amount |
Subsidy conditions |
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Funeral allowance |
$17,540 per person |
If funeral expenses are paid in whole or in part by the government (such as the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme) or a charitable foundation, this amount will be deducted before the subsidy is issued. |
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Death benefits (a) The sole breadwinner dies, leaving behind dependents. |
The first dependent will receive $190,660, and each subsequent dependent will receive $15,890. The maximum benefit is $270,110. |
If the beneficiary is an adult with mental disabilities or in a coma, or a minor whose parents have passed away or who has no legal guardian, the subsidy will be paid in accordance with the instructions of the Social Welfare Department. |
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(B) The breadwinner dies, leaving behind dependents, but there is still someone in the household who makes a living. |
The first dependent will receive $95,330, and each subsequent dependent will receive $15,890. The maximum benefit is $174,780. |
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(c) The non-living parent dies, but leaves behind children under the age of 15. |
The first child under 15 years old will receive $95,330, and each subsequent child under 15 years old will receive $15,890. The maximum subsidy is $174,780. |
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Disability allowance |
According to Form 1 or Section 9(1)(b), Chapter 282 of the Employee Compensation Ordinance, the subsidy amount starts from $229 and can reach a maximum of $228,790. Those aged 60 and above will receive one-third less, meaning they will only receive two-thirds of the subsidy. |
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Compassionate subsidies |
Depending on the severity of the injury, the compensation ranges from $330 to a maximum of $19,800. |
The subsidy amount depends on whether the patient is on sick leave or hospitalized. The number of days depends on the duration, up to a maximum of 60 days. For example, the period of injury before death was that those who have been in contact with confirmed cases for 7 days or more may receive a medical certificate. Compensation and relief. Compensation and relief will be provided by the victim who is eligible to receive disability benefits or death benefits. The distribution will cease from that day forward. |
Driver's Award | Application Method
To submit the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Preliminary Application Form to the Social Welfare Department, you can fill in the Online form or download the application form (PDF / Word). After completing the form, submit it to the Traffic Accident Injury and Death Assistance Group through the following channels.
- Mail or in person
- Fax to the Social Welfare Department (2893 8690)
- Email to tavaenq@swd.gov.hk
Driver's Award | Processing Procedures and Required Documents
After receiving the application form, the Social Welfare Department will schedule a meeting with the applicant (or their family). Except in cases of mobility impairment or special circumstances, applicants must attend a meeting with the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Section of the Social Welfare Department. Applicants should provide relevant information and bring the following documents with them to the meeting:
- Identity documents, such as Hong Kong identity cards, birth certificates, or other acceptable forms of identification (if the victim is deceased, identity documents of both the victim and their family members must be provided).
- All relevant documentation for injuries sustained in an accident, including death certificates (if the victim died), sick leave certificates, medical reports issued by registered doctors, hospital bills, and hospital/clinic visit cards issued by the Hospital Authority or medical institutions under the Director of Health (original documents are preferred).
- Documents providing payment instructions, such as bank account number, bankbook, and debit card, are required to arrange automatic bank transfers.
- Applicants may also bring the above documents in person to the office of the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Section
The Social Welfare Department will verify the information provided by the applicant with the police force, the victim's family, and the employer, and then pay the assistance funds according to the victim's injury or death.
Source: Police Force, Social Welfare Department
Driver's prize vs. third-party liability insurance vs. civil claims
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Driver's Award |
Third-party insurance |
Civil claims |
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Source of funds |
Social Welfare Department |
Insurance Company |
Party responsible for the accident |
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Involving court judgments |
No need to appear in court |
It requires police investigation and court judgment. |
Requires court appearance |
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Application requirements |
Regardless of fault, anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can apply. |
Proof of the other party's liability is required. |
Proof of the other party's liability is required. |
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Compensation amount |
Fixed, with an upper limit |
Depending on the policy terms |
According to the loss |
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Application time |
Applications submitted within 6 months of the incident will be processed in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. |
Depending on the policy terms and legal procedures |
Depending on legal procedures |
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Difficulty of claiming |
Simple and quick |
It depends on the court's decision; the process is complex. |
Proof of the responsible party is required, and legal intervention is necessary. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for the Traffic Accident Injury and Death Assistance Program (Driver's Award)?
The Drivers' Award (Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme) is implemented by the Social Welfare Department. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to the injured or deceased or their families as early as possible, regardless of who is at fault in the traffic accident, without taking into account the beneficiary's financial situation.
How is the amount of compensation calculated under the Traffic Accident Injury and Death Assistance Program?
The traffic accident injury and death assistance program provides subsidies in the following categories: funeral allowance, death allowance, disability allowance, and compassion allowance.
When do I apply for the driver's award? How long does the application process take?
The driver's award must be applied for within 6 months of the traffic accident. If all documents are complete, the first payment can usually be received in about 4 to 6 weeks. Applicants are encouraged to prepare all original copies of accident-related supporting documents and medical reports to expedite the processing.
What's the maximum amount of money you can get in a driver's prize?
The amount of the driver's award grant generally depends on the severity of the applicant's injury. If it does not involve death and funeral benefits, the disability benefit can reach up to $228,790 depending on the severity of the injury; the compassionate benefit can reach up to $19,800 depending on the circumstances of the injury.
Can I claim both the driver's prize and the car insurance at the same time?
Yes. The driver's prize does not affect insurance claims or other legal actions, but if the applicant receives higher compensation through insurance, the driver's prize money must be returned to the government.
