The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the role of post officers in social safety nets for the elderly living alone in rural areas, namely risk recognition by type. It assesses how the social support of post officers affects the extent to which the elderly perceived to be at risk, such as perceptions on loneliness, suicide, depression, physical injury, crime, and disaster. It is found that emotional support has a positive effect, reducing the level of risk perception among the elderly people. Material and affectionate supports, however, have a negative effect on the elderly people due to the reduction of their self-esteem. Also, the social support of post officers is found higher in rural areas than in urban areas, among male adults than female, among those with higher education, and with more door-to-door visits.