SOCIAL WELFARE
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3.6 Hong Kong does not have a comprehensive social security
system, but there is a non-contributory means-tested Public
Assistance Scheme designed to bring the income of needy
households up to a specific level at which essential needs can be met. In addition to the basic scale, supplementary assistance may be given to cover rent, school expenses, special diets etc. An old-age supplement is paid to people over 60 who do not receive the old-age allowance, and there is also an
annual long-term supplement to meet extra costs for replacement of household wares and durable goods. A non-contributory,
non-means-tested Special Needs Allowance Scheme includes an old age allowance (for people 70 years of age or above) and a
disability allowance. Both Public Assistance and Special Needs Assistance scales of payment are revised annually.
3.7 A wide range of welfare services is provided by the Social Welfare Department and subvented agencies for target groups (eg the disabled, the elderly, offenders). The Government is taking
steps to reduce the current shortage of social workers. A White
Paper on Social Welfare Services published in April 1979 envisaged an estimated HK$2,000 million increase in capital and recurrent expenditure up to 1986-87. HK$1,267 million allocated
for the current financial year represents an increase of 17%
over the approved estimate for 1981/82.
/LABOUR