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Improvement to CSSA
We are nevertheless alive to people's concern and the need to ensure that the benefits meet the needs of those who, unfortunately, have to rely upon them. CSSA benefits are therefore reviewed regularly. In these reviews, our aim is -
⚫ firstly, to target improvement to CSSA to those in need;
⚫ secondly, to encourage CSSA recipients to gain a measure of financial
independence through work; and
⚫ thirdly, to make the CSSA Scheme more accessible and user-friendly to our
clients.
Our CSSA Scheme has developed over more than two decades. It has evolved from providing for basic subsistence to a scheme which meets not only the needs of the average client but also the special circumstances of individuals as well. We recognise that a scheme which provides special grants to individuals is, by its very nature, often difficult for both the recipients and the general public to understand. Many problems faced by CSSA clients arise from the lack of knowledge about their entitlements. We have therefore stepped up publicity on the CSSA Scheme to help recipients understand their entitlements. A handbook on the scheme has been produced by the Social Welfare Department. It sets out in detail the entitlement of a CSSA recipient, including the different types and levels of grants under the Scheme, the complaint/appeal procedures and other pertinent information. The handbook was published in June 1994 and was made available to CSSA recipients, non-governmental organisations, various concern groups, District Boards and the media. In addition, an audio tape and a video tape are being played interchangeably at the reception areas of social security field units to publicise the assistance available.
Review of CSSA Scheme
As Members are aware, the Governor has announced in his recent Policy Address that a special exercise will be conducted to assess how well our social security arrangements are meeting the needs of their clients. Together with the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, we have started the exercise by, first of all, reviewing the administration of special grants to better serve the needs of CSSA clients. We will look into the eligibility criteria for CSSA to target improvements to those in need. We will review our staff training and customer service with a view to improving our services to CSSA clients. We will also review the CSSA payment rates when more statistical information on the spending patterns of different types of households including those on CSSA are made available by the 1994/95 Household Expenditure Survey.