ENG-1986 — Page 175

SOCIAL WELFARE

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supplement of $1,290 for a family or $645 for a single person is given to those who have received public assistance continuously for 12 months to enable them to meet the cost of replacement of household wares and durable goods. Separate allowances are also payable to cover the cost of accommodation and other special requirements.

To encourage self-help, an individual's earnings up to $255 per month are disregarded in the calculation of entitlement for assistance.

At the end of 1986, the number of active public assistance cases was 63 160, compared with 62 828 in 1985. Expenditure on public assistance in the 1985-6 financial year amounted to $625.5 million, an increase of 7.2 per cent over the previous year.

The non-means-tested Special Needs Allowance Scheme provides a flat-rate allowance for the severely disabled and for elderly persons aged 70 and over who have continuously resided in Hong Kong for five years after the age of 65. Any person, regardless of age, who has resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least one year prior to claiming the allowance, and who is severely disabled, is eligible for a disability allowance. The current rate of disability allowance is $510, and for old age is $255. The number of people receiving these two allowances at the end of the year was 291 090, compared with 272 595 at the end of 1985. Expenditure on Special Needs Allowance in the 1985-6 financial year was $909.6 million, 10.5 per cent over the previous year.

The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme provides cash assistance for people injured and for dependants of those killed in crimes of violence, or through the action of law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties. This non-means-tested scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board. Total payments in 1986 amounted to $5.3 million, compared with $4.7 million in the previous year.

The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme provides immediate financial assistance to traffic accident victims or their dependants in case of death, regardless of the means of the family or any element of fault in the cause of the accident. However, the accident must have been reported to the police and the application must be made within six months of the accident. This scheme covers only traffic accidents as defined under the Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) Ordinance. Payments are made for personal injury or death. Damage to property is not covered. In case of injury not causing death, evidence of not less than three days' sick leave must be shown. The scheme does not affect the applicant's right to claim damages or compensation from other sources. Beneficiaries who subsequently receive damages or other compensation in respect of the same accident are required to refund the payments they received from the scheme or the amount of damages or compensation, whichever is less. During the year, 5 560 applications were received, and 5 080 were approved for assistance payments amounting to $35.8 million.

Emergency relief is provided to victims of natural or other disasters in the form of immediate material aid such as hot meals, eating utensils and other essential articles. Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are also paid to disaster victims or their dependants. During the year, emergency relief was rendered to 8 100 registered victims on 200 occasions.

To prevent abuse of the various schemes, a special team conducts in-depth investigation in cases of suspected fraud or difficulties encountered in repayment. During the year, the team completed investigation of 295 cases, some of which were subsequently referred to the Attorney General for legal advice and possible prosecution.

The Social Security Appeal Board is an independent body which considers appeals from individuals against decisions by the Social Welfare Department concerning public