SOCIAL WELFARE
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durable goods. In addition, special supplements are given to certain categories of clients to meet other special needs.
To encourage self-help, an individual's earnings up to $255 per month are disregarded in the calculation of entitlement for assistance.
At the end of 1987, the number of public assistance cases was 63 180, compared with 63 160 in 1986. Expenditure on public assistance in the 1986–7 financial year amounted to $678.4 million, an increase of 8.5 per cent over the previous year.
The Special Needs Allowance Scheme, which is non-means tested, provides a flat rate allowance for the severely disabled and for elderly persons aged 70 and over who have continuously resided in Hong Kong for five years after the age of 65. Any person, regardless of age, who is severely disabled and has resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least one year prior to claiming the allowance, is eligible for a disability allowance. The current monthly rate of disability allowance and old age allowance are $510 and $255 respectively. The number of people receiving these two allowances at the end of the year was 305 490, compared with 291 090 at the end of 1986. Expenditure on special needs allowance in the 1986-7 financial year was $965.2 million, an increase of 6.1 per cent over the previous year.
The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme provides cash assistance for people injured and for dependants of those killed in crimes of violence, or through the action of law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties. This scheme, which is non-means tested, is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board. Total payments in 1987 amounted to $5.1 million, compared with $5.3 million in the previous year.
The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme provides early financial assistance to the victims of traffic accidents or in the case of fatal accidents, to their dependants, regardless of the means of the family or who was at fault in causing the accident. To be eligible, the traffic accident must be one defined under the Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) Ordinance (Cap 229) and must have been reported to the police. The application must be lodged within six months of the accident. In case of injury not causing death, evidence of not less than three days' sick leave must be shown. Payments are made for death or personal injury. Damage to property is not covered. The scheme does not affect the applicant's right to claim legal damages or compensation from other sources. Beneficiaries who receive damages or other compensation in respect of the same accident are required to reimburse the payments they received from the scheme, or the amount of damages or compensation, whichever is less. During the year, 6 420 applications were received and 5 750 were approved for assistance with payments amounting to $39.5 million.
Emergency relief is provided to victims of natural or other disasters in the form of immediate material aid such as hot meals, eating utensils and other essential articles. Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are also paid to disaster victims or their dependants. During the year, emergency relief was given to 3 940 registered victims on 180 occasions.
To prevent abuse of the various schemes, a special team conducts in-depth investigation in cases of suspected fraud or difficulties encountered in repayment. During the year, the team completed investigation of 258 cases, some of which were referred to the Attorney General for legal advice and possible prosecution.
The Social Security Appeal Board is an independent body which considers appeals from individuals against decisions by the Social Welfare Department concerning public assist- ance, special needs allowances and traffic accident victims assistance payments. It heard a