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Wednesday, December 20, 1972
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME
November Figures Show Continuing Expansion
The total number of active cases in the Public Assistance Scheme
reached 17,529 at the end of November.
New applications received during the month totalled 1,220,
including 320 referrals from voluntary agencies.
Cases reactivated during the month totalled 112, and at the
same time, 679 cases were closed.
Cash payments during November totalled $2.6 million, bringing
to $31.5 million the grand total spent so far since the expanded scheme
was implemented on April 1, 1971.
Commenting on these figures, Mr. Tsau Tsor-yan, Senior Principal
Social Welfare Officer and head of the Public Assistance Division, says it
is gratifying to note that many residents in need have now begun to realise
that the scheme exists for them.
This conclusion can be drawn from the fact that statistics on the
classification of cases show that about 50 per cent are elderly people.
The next largest group, representing nearly 18 per cent, are residents
suffering from ill health.
Nearly 16 per cent of recipients are residents whose incomes are
insufficient. The fourth largest group, nearly 10 per cent, are widows with
dependent children.
Other categories of recipients include the blind, the deaf, the
drug addict, the mentally ill, the physically disabled, and the unemployed.
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