Chapter 10
Social Welfare
The government is committed to assisting individuals and families in need. The scope and extent of Hong Kong's welfare services have steadily evolved over the years, with total recurrent government expenditure on social welfare increasing by around 70 per cent in the past decade.
The Labour and Welfare Bureau is responsible for formulating social welfare policies and overseeing their implementation by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency. The Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the Elderly Commission, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and the Women's Commission advise the government on welfare policies.
In 2014-15, the department's total recurrent expenditure was $53.5 billion, of which $36.8 billion, or 68.8 per cent, was for financial assistance payments, $12.3 billion (23 per cent) was for recurrent subventions to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), $1.4 billion (2.6 per cent) was for other payments for welfare services, and the remaining $3 billion (5.6 per cent) was for departmental expenditure.
Social Welfare Services
Services for Families
Services for families in need are provided at three levels. At the primary level, the department tries to prevent family problems through early identification, public education, publicity and empowerment. Publicity efforts undertaken in 2015 included the launch of a 'Priceless Family Ties-Love My Family' Facebook page, as well as a thematic website and a set of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest on continuing parenthood despite a marriage breakdown. The SWD also operates a departmental hotline, 2343 2255, to provide service information, counselling and other forms of help.
At the secondary level, 65 Integrated Family Service Centres and two Integrated Services Centres offer a spectrum of preventive, supportive and remedial family services.
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