3.4
may give towards essential household expenses. However, as an incentive to self- help for those who are not expected to seek work as a condition of receiving public assistance, such as the elderly and young widows, a system of "disregarded income" has been introduced. Earnings not exceeding $50 per month will be disregarded for the purpose of assessing entitlement for Public Assistance. 50% of the next $200 earnings will also be disregarded, thus allowing a total of $150 in disregarded income. All earnings above $250 a month will be taken into account. The Government does not intend to adjust this level frequently since increasing the amount will not help those who are worse off and have no disregarded resources.
It is now proposed to introduce a Disability Supplement in the light of public comments and .the advice of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee as discussed in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.13 below.
Special Needs Allowance
3.5
The Special Needs Allowance scheme (previously known as the Welfare Allowance scheme) is based on need established by reference to the circumstances of the individual and not by reference to low income. At present, it caters for two specific categories, the severely disabled and the elderly. The community accepts that these two categories of people are "vulnerable groups" with needs which other members of the community do not have. A flat rate non-means- tested allowance is therefore an appropriate way of providing help and thus encouraging families to continue to look after their disabled or elderly members. This is entirely consistent with the Government's policy of care in the community. It is not proposed to change the basis of this scheme.
3.6
The Green Paper suggested the introduction of a further allowance under this scheme: that a non-means-tested chronic sickness allowance of half the basic public assistance rate for a single person should be paid on a monthly basis to anyone who has been incapable of work for the previous 18 months and is medically certified as still being unable to work. This allowance would not be paid to anyone receiving a Disability or an Old Age Allowance.
3.7
Having regard to the stage of Hong Kong's social development and range of improve- ments still possible in many fields, the Social Welfare Advisory Committee has expressed a preference for a means-tested allowance, and has noted that many of the intended beneficiaries of this allowance would already be covered by the Special Needs Allowance scheme. It has also expressed concern over the administrative complexities of defining and certifying chronic sickness, particularly for people over 60 where it may be difficult to establish whether someone is capable of working. In practice a chronic sickness allowance might well turn out to be an Old Age Allowance in a different guise for people between 60 and 70. The Social Welfare Advisory Committee has therefore suggested a reconsideration of this proposal.
3.8
In the public comments on the Green Paper considerable sympathy has also been expressed for the profoundly deaf who are considered by many to be another "vulnerable group" in need of special assistance. Many deaf persons are also dumb. This combined disability makes communication very difficult and adversely affects their ability to benefit from education and training, and hence, their chances of gainful employment. It has therefore been argued that this group should be brought within the scope of the Disability Allowance scheme.
3.9
In the light of the public comments and the advice of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the Government agrees that in the place of the chronic sickness allowance proposed in the Green Paper, the Disability Allowance should be extended to cover the profoundly deaf, and a Disability Supplement should be introduced under the Public Assistance scheme.
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