XN000022-1973-05-24 — Page 2

Thursday, May 24, 1973

THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME

The Deputy Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Thomas C.Y. Lee,

said today that the primary purpose of the disability and infirmity

allowance is to help the severely disabled and elderly infirm to meet

their extra and special needs.

He said it was never intended that the allowance was for helping

with their basic needs in food and other daily necessities.

He said some people have misunderstood this and therefore have

criticised the rate of payment as being too low to enable beneficiaries

to subsist on it.

"Actually those beneficiaries can also apply for public assistance

which is intended to help meet their basic needs," Mr. Lee said.

Mr. Lee, who was addressing the Lions Club of Tai Ping Shan

at its luncheon meeting at the Mandarin Hotel, explained that both the

public assistance scheme introduced in 1971, and the disability and

infirmity allowance scheme were run by his department, and were the two

main forms of social security in Hong Kong.

"Under the public assistance scheme, cash assistance is provided

for the needy on passing a means test. As to the disability and infirmity

allowance, it is, however, awarded to the severely disabled and the elderly

infirm without a means test."

/Mr. Lee