XN000022-1977-10-20 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1977

AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE PA SCHEME CAN HELP A FAMILY IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS, MR. LU SAID THAT THE BASIC SCALE RATE AT THE NEW LEVEL FOR A FIVE-MEMBER FAMILY WOULD BE $675 A MONTH.

+ON TOP OF THIS AMOUNT, RENT ALLOWANCE AND THE COST OF ANY SCHOOL FEES AND TRAVELLING EXPENSES WILL BE ADDED. MOREOVER, ANY SPECIAL EXPENSES, SUCH AS DIETARY NEEDS, WILL ALSO BE COVERED,

+ THESE ALLOWANCES ARE, OF COURSE, IN ADDITION TO THE NON-MEANS-TESTED INFIRMITY AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES FOR ANY FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.

AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 47,671 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 16,785 DISABILITY AND 59,075 INFIRMITY CASES ON THE DEPARTMENT'S BOOKS.

THE INCREASE IS EXPECTED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ADDITIONAL $32.2 MILLION FOR 1978/79.

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