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SOCIAL WELFARE
The disability and infirmity allowance scheme provides cash in hand-on top of any entitlement to public assistance-for two vulnerable groups in the community. They are the severely disabled and the elderly infirm (those aged 75 and over) resident in Hong Kong and not cared for in residential institutions. The scheme provides a non-means-tested and non-contributory allowance. The current level is $180 a month for the disabled and $90 for the elderly infirm. These allowances are regularly reviewed in line with public assistance. The number of people in receipt of disability and infirmity allowance at the end of the year was 64,599 as compared with 53,862 the previous year. Expenditure on payments in the financial year 1974-5 was $61.2 million as compared with $26.2 million the previous year.
The criminal and law enforcement injuries compensation scheme assists those who are injured or disabled as a result of criminal violence or, in the event of death, their dependants. It also assists people and their dependants who may accidentally suffer similar misfortune as a result of action by law enforcement officers in the execu- tion of their duties. The scheme provides compensation on a non-means-tested non- contributory basis. In 1975 a total of 528 such awards were made. Compensation payments in the financial year 1974-5 amounted to $1.1 million.
Emergency Relief Scheme
The emergency relief scheme gives immediate assistance to the victims of natural disasters by providing hot meals, milk powder for infants and other basic essentials such as blankets, ground mats, eating utensils and soap. Shelter on a temporary basis is also provided in liaison with the Housing Department. Cash grants are available to cover burial expenses of disaster victims and there is a range of grants to compensate for the loss of family support. There are also cash grants to cover damage to crops and the repair and replacement of vessels.
In 1975, although no major large scale disasters were experienced, assistance was extended to 7,759 people who were rendered homeless or sustained other serious loss— normally as the result of fire, an ever prevalent risk in Hong Kong.
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A significant test of the emergency relief arrangements occurred however in the early part of the year, with the arrival of nearly 4,000 refugees from Vietnam. The newly reprovisioned emergency kitchen came fully into operation and emergency teams worked throughout the night of arrival to provide food and clothing. In the months that followed, up to 10,000 meals a day plus infant feeds were being prepared, and by the end of the year some 1,176 meals a day were still being supplied.
Training of Social Workers
Professional social work training is available in Hong Kong at the two univer- sities, while a diploma course in social work is offered by the Baptist College. In addition, a two-year course leading to a certificate in social welfare is provided by the Institute of Social Work Training. This institute caters for students who do not plan to enrol at university but wish to make a career in social work, and also for untrained workers already serving in the government or other welfare agencies.