SOCIAL WELFARE
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is now reviewing the procedures relating to applications from voluntary agencies or government departments for grants from the Lotteries Fund, with a view to formulating improvements to expedite processing.
The Social Welfare Advisory Committee keeps social welfare services under continuous review and advises the government on all matters of social welfare policy. The Rehabilita- tion Development Co-ordinating Committee advises on policy and principles governing the development of rehabilitation services.
The Director of Social Welfare, who heads the Social Welfare Department, is responsible for carrying out government policies. The Social Welfare Department works closely with the non-government welfare sector which plays a complementary role in the provision of services. Most non-government welfare agencies are affiliated to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service which is actively involved in the review of the Five Year Plan for Social Welfare Development.
Social Security
In addition to the Public Assistance Scheme, the Social Welfare Department administers the Special Needs Allowance Scheme, the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Com- pensation Scheme and the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme. It also provides emergency relief.
The means-tested but non-contributory Public Assistance Scheme is designed to ensure a basic level of income so that essential needs can be met. To be eligible, a person must have resided in Hong Kong for at least one year, although the Director of Social Welfare has discretion to waive this requirement in cases of genuine hardship. An able-bodied unemployed adult aged between 15 and 59 is eligible only if he is actively seeking employment and has registered with the Local Employment Office of the Labour Department. At the end of 1984, the number of active public assistance cases was 59 320 compared with 54 711 in 1983. Expenditure on public assistance in the 1983-4 financial year totalled $486.6 million.
The rates of assistance are reviewed and increased from time to time to keep in line with the cost of living. The existing monthly basic rate is $510 for a single person, $370 for each of the first three eligible members of a family, $315 for each of the succeeding three members, and $245 for each subsequent eligible member. In addition to the basic rate, old age supplements, disability supplements and long-term supplements can be given. An old age supplement of $255 per month is given to those aged 60 and over provided they are not in receipt of a special needs allowance or disability supplement. A disability supplement of $255 per month is payable to those who are partially disabled with at least a 50 per cent loss of earning capacity, and are not in receipt of an old age supplement or a special needs allowance. An annual long-term supplement of $1,290 for a family or $645 for a single person is given to those who have received public assistance continuously for 12 months, to enable them to meet the cost of replacement of household ware and durable goods. Separate allowances are also payable to assist with the cost of renting accommodation, of meeting special expenses relating to education or dietary needs, or of other essential requirements.
To provide some encouragement to public assistance recipients to undertake part-time employment, their earnings up to $255 a month are disregarded in calculating the assistance given. This arrangement does not apply, however, to able-bodied adults who are expected actively to seek employment as a condition of receiving public assistance.
The Special Needs Allowance Scheme, which is non-means-tested and non-contributory, provides flat rate old age and disability allowances. Any person, regardless of age, who is