28
* by 46-54% to $1,770 for single adults whose ill-health prevents them from
working and to $1,605 if they are living in a family;
* by 23-27% to $1,490 for single adults and $1,325 if they are living in a
family; and
* by 12% to $1,685 for elderly people if they are living in a family.
Mrs Fok said the increases would enable a three-member single parent family to receive an average monthly payment of $7,090 and that for a family of four will be $9,180. These compare with $6,570 and $8,610 the two groups are now receiving respectively.
The proposed enhancements will benefit up to 52,000 people at an annual cost of about $300 million.
Other aspects of the CSSA scheme to be covered in the Review include the level and scope of special grants for which CSSA clients are eligible; simplifying reimbursement procedures for special grants; the level of the asset eligibility test; the level of permitted disregarded earnings to enable CSSA clients to attain a measure of financial independence through work; the level and administration of long term supplements paid to clients receiving CSSA for over 12 months; the arrangements for clients to receive CSSA outside Hong Kong; and making it easier to apply for and obtain CSSA support.
On services for the elderly, Mrs Fok said the Government would implement the 71 recommendations of the Working Group on Care for the Elderly in full by 1998-99 at a total capital cost of $331 million. In recurrent terms, this will cost $80 million in 1996-97 rising to $112 million in 1998-99.
So far, the Government has set up a $200 million Elderly Services Development Fund to give grants to non-governmental organisations to help them run non-profit making, self-financing welfare projects for the elderly; improved services provided by day care centres and social centres; expanded home help services; implemented pilot volunteer and elderly volunteer programme; and established four additional geriatric health teams.
Page 30Page 31