TNAG-0607-FCO40-755-Monitoring-progress-made-on-planning-papers-on-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 160

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(ii) Old Age Allowance and Disability Allowances

118.

In addition to payments under the Public Assistance Scheme which

are means tested, there are those under the Infirmity and Disability

Allowance schemes which are not. And I dc suggest it is time we stopped

:

calling the elderly 'infirm' and that the Infirmity Allowance should be

renamed 'Old Age Allowance'.

119.

This system of payments, based on a condition of vulnerability,

has been re-examined and is considered to have been both successful and

acceptable to the public. But in the light of 5 years of operation the

following changes are proposed:

First that the qualifying age for Old Age Allowance should be reduced

from 75 to 70. Some might have wished the age to be lowered further.

But it must be remembered that the allowance is paid to all regardless

of their financial position, and that, as now proposed, those between

60 and 70 in genuine need will be helped through a supplement to

Public Assistance.

Secondly it is proposed that the Old Age and Disability Allowances

should be extended to those living in institutions, re has been

strongly recommended in this Council.

Thirdly an allowance should be paid to those who may not qualify

for Disability Allowance, but through illness or infirmity have

been unable to work for a long period - the period proposed is 18

months. There are many such people who suffer hardship although

the means of their family renders them ineligible for Public

Assistance, and I think that some help for them would have the

support of the community.

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