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Wednesday, November 28, 1973
INCREASES I SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCES AND DAY NURSERY'S SUBVENTIONS
The scale of payments for public assistance and disability and
infirmity allowances are to be increased by a further 21 per cent from
January 1, 1974.
Also, subventions to non-profit-making day nurseries are being
increased to $65 for the current financial year and to $80 for 1974/75.
These increases were announced in the Legislative Council today by
the Secretary for Social Services, the Hon. F.K. Li, who was replying to
points on social welfare raised at earlier sessions by unofficial members,
Mr. Li said both these payments were kept under constant review
and the rates of assistance had already been increased by 11 per cent
in July this year. Mr. Li said probably the most significant feature
of the Five Year Plan implemented in this first year was the Disability
and Infirmity Allowance Scheme.
"Under this scheme non-contributory, flat-rate allowances are
paid without a means test to the elderly infirm and the severely disabled.
This is a new departure in the field of social security and one that is
specifically suited to the special needs and circumstances of Hong Kong.
It has proved an immediate success, 11 he said.
By the end of last month, there were 40,000 applications of which
over 31,000 are already receiving payments. He said investigations of the
remainder is proceeding as quickly as possible and payments in all cases
will have retrospective effect to the date of application.
/Turning