SOCIAL WELFARE
At year-end, 561 078 people were receiving social security allowances, compared with 559 399 in 2001. Total expenditure during the year was $5.32 billion, representing an increase of 2.2 per cent over the previous year.
Accident Compensation Schemes
The CLEIC Scheme provides cash assistance for victims of crimes of violence and law enforcement acts (or for their dependants in cases of death) on a non-means-tested basis. In case of a subsequent successful claim for compensation from other sources which arise from the incident, the beneficiary is required to refund the payment received from the scheme or the amount of compensation, whichever is the less.
During the year, 774 applications were approved for assistance amounting to $9.6 million, compared with $11.07 million in the previous year.
The TAVA Scheme provides speedy financial assistance for people injured or for dependants of those killed in traffic accidents on a non-means-tested basis, regardless of the element of fault leading to the occurrence of the accident. In case of a subsequent successful claim for compensation arising from the accident, the beneficiary is required to refund the payment received from the scheme or the amount of compensation, whichever is the less.
During the year, 8 087 applications were approved for assistance amounting to $150.18 million, compared with $138.69 million in 2001.
Emergency relief in the form of cooked meals or cash grants in lieu of cooked meals and other essential relief articles is provided to victims of natural and other disasters. Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are paid to these victims (or to their dependants in cases of death). Emergency relief was given to 301 victims on 17 occasions during the year.
Social Security Appeal Board
The Social Security Appeal Board considers appeals against the SWD's decisions concerning CSSA, SSA and TAVA. It heard a total of 131 appeals in 2002.
During the year, the department also strengthened the Special Investigation Section. and enhanced its efforts to reduce fraud and abuse of welfare benefits. At the same time, a risk management approach was being developed in the administration of the social security schemes.
Services for Elders
The basic principle underlying services for the elders is to provide senior citizens with a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a feeling of health and worthiness. The aim is to promote the well-being of those persons aged 60 and over in all aspects of their life through provision of services that will enable them to remain active members of the community for as long as possible, and, to the extent necessary, to provide residential care suited to their varying needs.
Community support services are provided to elders who require assistance to continue living at home. Support is also provided for their carers. At year-end, there were 35 multi-service centres for elders, three district elderly community centres, 139 home help teams, 25 home care teams, 25 meal teams, 18 enhanced home and community care services teams, 44 day-care centres/units for elders, two carers' support centres, 214 social centres for elders, two neighbourhood elderly centres, 38
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