SOCIAL WELFARE
168
social security system. They are supplemented by three other schemes: Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and Emergency Relief.
The Public Assistance Scheme, which is means-tested, provides cash assistance to those in need. It is designed to raise the income of needy individuals and families to a level where essential requirements are met. Persons who have resided in Hong Kong for not less than one year may be eligible if they can provide documentary proof that their income and other resources are below the prescribed levels. An able-bodied unemployed person aged 15 to 59 who is available for work is, in addition, required to register with the Labour Department for job placement in order to qualify for assistance. The Director of Social Welfare is vested with discretionary power to waive the one-year residence requirement in cases of genuine hardship.
The rates of assistance were increased across the board by nine per cent in April 1991 to keep pace with inflation. The current monthly basic allowances are $745 for a single person, $560 for each of the first two eligible members of family, $550 for each of the next two eligible members and $540 for each additional eligible member. Separate allowances are paid to cover the cost of accommodation.
A monthly old-age supplement of $373 is given to those aged 60 to 69, and $425 to those aged 70 and over, who are not receiving a disability supplement or a special needs allowance under a separate scheme. A disability supplement of $373 per month is payable to those who are certified to be partially disabled with at least 50 per cent loss of earning capacity and who are not in receipt of an old-age supplement or a special needs allowance. Those who have received public assistance continuously for 12 months are given an annual long-term supplement to enable them to meet the cost of replacing household wares and durable goods: $950 for a single person; $1,900 for a family with two to four members; and $2,850 for a family with five or more members. In addition, special grants are given, where necessary, to meet other needs in particular circumstances. To encourage self-help, an individual's monthly earnings of up to $560 may be disregarded in the calculation of assistance payable.
In November, a Child Supplement was introduced as an additional allowance payable to children of public assistance recipients up to their 15th birthday and to those aged 15 to 18 in full-time education and not receiving educational grants. This supplement is meant to meet the special needs of children for their healthy development. Payment is made at a flat-rate of $185 per month.
At the end of 1991, the number of public assistance cases was 71 294, compared with 68 500 in 1990. The majority of recipients are the elderly, the disabled and single parent families. Expenditure on public assistance during the year amounted to $1,079.9 million, representing an increase of 16.1 per cent over the previous year.
The Special Needs Allowance Scheme provides flat-rate allowances for the severely disabled and the elderly. Any person, regardless of age and financial means, who is certified to be severely disabled and who has resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least one year immediately before application, is eligible for a disability allowance. To be eligible for an old-age allowance, a person must have resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least five years prior to attaining the qualifying age.
The rates of allowances were revised upwards by nine per cent in April 1991 due to the rise in the cost of living.