XN000022-1973-02-12 — Page 5

Monday, February 12, 1973

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME

January Figures Show Continuing Expansion

*本*案**索索

The total number of active cases in the public assistance scheme

reached 18,105 at the end of January.

New applications received during the month totalled 902, and cases

reactivated numbered 136. At the same time, 669 cases were closed.

Cash payments during January totalled $2.78 million, bringing to

$37.08 million, the grand total spent so far since the expanded scheme was

implemented on April 1, 1971.

In addition to public assistance, Mr. Tsau Tsor-yan, Senior Principal

Social Welfare Officer and head of the Public Assistance Division, said today

that during January, divisional officers had responded to 13 emergencies caused

by fires and closure orders.

As a result, 304 families had registered for emergency aid, consisting

of 1,341 persons. They received hot food, blankets, cooking utensils, dry

rations, and so on.

Mr. Tsau expected that during February, the 18th field unit of the

Public Assistance Division would be set up in the Tung Tau Resettlement Estate

to serve residents in the area.

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It is proposed, according to present plans, that there will eventually

be 20 field units attached to the Public Assistance Division to handle the

growing caseload.

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