SOCIAL WELFARE
and-attention places. This approach is particularly valuable not only in expanding the number of care-and-attention places but also useful in minimising the transfer of elderly residents to a completely new environment when their health deteriorates.
Community Chest
The Community Chest, which organises and co-ordinates fund-raising activities for its member agencies, raised $132 million in 1991-2, compared with $113 million in 1990-91. More details about the Community Chest are in Appendix 32B.
Social Security
Social security is a major social welfare programme aimed at meeting the needs of vulnerable groups in the community requiring financial or material assistance. The Public Assistance Scheme and the Special Needs Allowance Scheme are the key elements in the non-contributory 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 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.
Public assistance payments comprise four components: basic allowance, rent allowance, supplements and special grants. Essential needs such as food, clothing, fuel and light, are met by the basic allowance. Rates of the basic allowance were increased across the board by 10.74 per cent in April 1992 to keep pace with inflation. Current rates of the monthly basic allowance are $825 for a single person; $620 for each of the first two eligible members of family; $610 for each of the next two eligible members; and $600 for each additional eligible member. To cover the cost of accommodation, a separate allowance is paid. For personal needs arising from the recipients' particular circumstances, additional supple- ments are provided. A monthly old-age supplement of $413 is given to those aged 60 to 69, and $470 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 $413 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. A child supplement of $205 per month is given to children of public assistance recipients aged below 15 and to those aged 15 to 18 in full-time education and not receiving educational grants. 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: $1,050 for a single person; $2,100 for a family with two to four members; and $3,150 for a family with five or more members. In addition, special grants are given where necessary to meet other needs such as school fees, travelling or special diets. To encourage self-help, an individual's monthly earnings of up to $620 may be disregarded in the calculation of assistance payable.
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