The proposed payment of an old age supplement under the Public Assistance Scheme to those aged 60 and over has been widely welcomed, although the Hong Kong Council of Social Service disagreed with the restriction that those receiving the welfare allowance (that is infirmity or old age allowance) should not be eligible for the supplement. It is not proposed to remove this restriction, since the old age supplement is in effect a means-tested allowance to help needy old persons who are not yet eligible for the non means-tested old age allowance. This view is supported by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee.
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Very newes
ཡོ་
C.S. 166
11
Extension of Welfare Allowance to those in Institutional Accommodation
9
At present, the welfare allowance is not paid to those in residential institutional accommodation. The Green Paper proposed that in future this allowance should be paid to all those who are eligible, whether or not they are in institutional care. No adverse reaction has been received and it is proposed that this be implemented.
Social Security Appeal Board
10
The Green Paper proposed that an independent appeal board be established to provide a speedy means of redress for anyone who is dissatisfied with the Social Welfare Department's decisions. In response to public opinion it is felt that this Board should be entirely unofficial, and should consist of a Chairman and two other members. In due course, if the workload increases, it may be necessary to appoint a panel of members so that cases can be dealt with expeditiously. The Chairman might be an unofficial J. P. but not necessarily a lawyer and one of the members should probably have social work experience. Suitable appointments are being considered. The Social Welfare Department will provide the necessary secretarial support.
Financial Implications
11
The cost of implementing these proposals in 1978/79
is estimated as follows:
$ m.
(in 1977 prices)
(b)
Tê
(a)
long term supplement
7.20
old age supplement
37.50
(c)
extension of welfare allowance to those in
3.50
residential institutional accommodation
(d)
disregarded earnings
.50
(e)
appeal board and other administrative
.25
safeguards
Total: $48.95 m.
CONFIDENTIAL