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the Finance Committee.
Apart from the scale of assistance which
is indexed and is and must be constantly watched, the review has concluded that the scheme is sound and well suited to Hong Kong's requirements. However in the light of experience the Green Paper recommends some extensions and changes:
First, Though adequate for those who have to rely on it for
comparatively short periods, it is inadequate for those who
must do so for long periods, when more than mere subsistence will be required; for example a widow unable to work because
of the ties of a young family. h supplement is therefore
proposed for those forced to rely on Public Assistance for over 18 months amounting to $180 at the present rate for
a family or $90 for a single person.
Secondly, it is proposed that a supplement of $90 at the
present rate should be paid to persons on Public Assistance
who are aged 60 and above, but not yet in receipt of the infirmity allowance. Their needs tend to be greater than thuse of their juniors and this change is strongly recommended by social workers. This supplement, for those in need who are getting on in life, also makes more acceptable the relatively
high age at which infirmity allowance is paid.
Thirdly, eligibility for Public Assistance is to some extent
an act of judgement on the part of social welfare officers.
Though it must often not be an easy judgement, there are
few complaints. Nevertheless, we think it would be right for separate appeal boards to be constituted, to which persons could appeal against decisions of the Social welfare Department..
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