XN000022-1972-12-20 — Page 11

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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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