TNAG-0608-FCO40-756-Planning-paper-on-progress-made-on-social-security-in-Hong-K-1977 — Page 135

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of families who had to pay a relatively high

proportion of their income on rent, who would not

be eligible for public assistance in the normal

way because their income was above public

assistance levels.

Comparable help would not be

given to families whose income was above public

assistance level, but who had to pay a relatively

high proportion of this income on other necessary

expenses such as expensive diets or schooling

expenses.

(on 012 age)

23.

Disability and infirmity allowance scheme

The scheme is based on need. But unlike public

assistance the need is established by reference to the

circumstances of the individuals concerned, not low income.

It is accepted that the severely disabled and the elderly

infirm (defined as those 75 and over) have, by virtue of their

circumstances, extra needs which other members of the

community do not have. In developing the thinking behind

the introduction of the allowances the concept of the

"vulnerable group" has been used. The secondary aim of the

scheme has been to enable those eligible to contribute to

family expenses and so encourage the family to continue to

look after them. This has been a part of the policy of "care

in the community" which is seen as a practical alternative

in many caɛes to residential institutional accommodation; an

alternative which is both more economical and more in the

interests of the elderly or disabled person.

24.

The scheme has proved successful; and has been

widely lcomed. When it was begun it was envisaged that th

vulnerable group approach would be extended to other groups

if the case for that extension were made out.

It is now

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