SOCIAL WELFARE
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The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme provides cash assistance to victims of crimes of violence and law enforcement acts or their dependants in cases of death on a non-means-tested basis.
The applicant has the right to pursue claims for damages from other sources in respect of the same incident. Successful claimants are required to refund the compensation received from the scheme or the amount of damages, whichever is the
less.
During the year 604 applications were approved for assistance amounting to $18.2 million, compared with $14.7 million in the previous year.
The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme is a non-means tested scheme. It provides cash payments to victims of traffic accidents, or their dependants in cases of death. Payments cover personal injury and death, but not damage to property.
The applicant retains his right to claim damages or compensation from other sources in respect of the same accident. Successful claimants are required to refund the payment received from the scheme or the amount of damages or compensation, whichever is the less.
During the year, payments totalling $164.8 million were approved, compared with $130 million in 1997.
Emergency relief in the form of hot meals, dry rations and other essential relief articles, is provided to victims of natural or other disasters. Cash grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are paid to these victims, or their dependants in cases of death, to relieve hardship caused by disasters. Emergency relief was given to 1 366 victims on 55 occasions during the year.
The rates of grants payable under the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and the Emergency Relief Fund were increased in April to cover the rise in living costs.
Social Security Appeal Board
The Social Security Appeal Board is an independent body which considers appeals against SWD decisions concerning comprehensive social security assistance, social security allowance and traffic accident victims assistance. It heard 74 appeals in the year. Of these, 21 related to comprehensive social security assistance, 52 to social security allowance and one to traffic accident victims assistance.
Services for Offenders
To help offenders become law-abiding citizens and reintegrate into the community, the SWD discharges statutory functions in respect of related ordinances and provides community-based and residential services for the offenders.
The probation service serves offenders aged seven and above. Probation officers assess the offenders' suitability for probation supervision and make recommendations to courts. They also supervise the probationers to comply with the court orders. In 1998, 6 537 offenders were placed on probation. Officers also prepare reports on long-term prisoners and petition cases for consideration of early release.
Offenders aged 14 and above and convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be placed on the Community Service Orders which require
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