XN000022-1977-03-09 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1977

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APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING PREPARATION TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SUBMITTED AFTER THE EXTENDED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME COMES INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT A DINNER RECEPTION OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT - KAIFONG ASSOCIATION TONIGHT.

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE EXTENDED SCHEME WAS TO HELP ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE BETWEEN 15 AND 55, WHO WERE WITHOUT WORK, TO QUICKLY BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT AGAIN AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM DEVELOPING A SENSE OF DEPENDENCY.

HE LISTED THE GENERAL PROCEDURES TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT MONTH.

THEY ARE:

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APPLICANTS MUST HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR TWO YEARS AND APPLY IN PERSON AT THEIR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT.

* APPLICANTS MUST REGISTER WITH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITHIN THREE DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR PÅ.

* APPLICANTS MUST BE FOUND TO BE GENUINELY IN NEED OF

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THEY SHOULD NOT REJECT JOBS ARRANGED FOR THEM BY THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WITHOUT REASONS.

*

IF APPLICANTS FAIL TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT FOR ONE MONTH AFTER THE DATE OF APPLICATION, THEIR MONTHLY ENTITLEMENT WILL START FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HOWEVER, ENTITLEMENT OF ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES WILL BEGIN FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION.

* APPLICANTS MUST RE-AFFIRM THE IR UNEMPLOYMENT STATUS AT

THE LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT EVERY MONTH AND RE-REGISTER WITH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR EMPLOYMENT EVERY THREE MONTHS.

THE DIRECTOR ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM WOULD BE SET UP IN THE DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT THOROUGH AND REGULAR INVESTIGATION ON SOME OF THE CASES IN ORDER TO PREVENT ABUSES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXTENDED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAD BEEN DEVISED NOT ONLY TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES WOULD NOT FALL BELOW A LEVEL NECESSARY FOR BASIC SUBSISTENCE BUT ALSO TO STRENGTHEN THE SAFEGUARD AGAINST ABUSES.

/+AT PRESENT