ENG-1992 — Page 192

SOCIAL WELFARE

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At the end of 1992, the number of public assistance cases was 79 700, compared with 71 294 in 1991. The majority of recipients were the elderly, the disabled and single parent families. Expenditure on public assistance during the year amounted to $1,339.0 million, representing an increase of 24.0 per cent over the previous year.

The Special Needs Allowance Scheme provides flat-rate allowances for the severely disabled and the elderly. Any person who is certified to be severely disabled and who has resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least one year immediately before application, is eligible for a disability allowance. To be eligible for an old age allowance, a person must have resided continuously in Hong Kong for at least five years prior to attaining the qualifying age.

The rates of allowances were revised upwards by 10.74 per cent in April 1992 to reflect the rise in the cost of living.

A higher disability allowance, which is twice the normal rate, is payable to those severely disabled persons who require constant attendance from others in their daily life but are not receiving such care in a government or subvented institution or a medical institution under the Hospital Authority. The current monthly rate for disability allowance is $825 and, for higher disability allowance, $1,650.

Old age allowance is non-means-tested for those aged 70 and above, and they are entitled to a current rate of $470 per month. For those aged 65 to 69, the monthly allow- Lance is set at a lower rate of $413, subject to a declaration that income and assets do not

exceed prescribed levels.

The number of people receiving disability and old age allowances at the end of the year was 501 200, compared with 471 803 at the end of 1991. Expenditure on special needs allowances during the year was $2,860.1 million, representing an increase of 16.7 per cent over the previous year.

The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme provides cash assistance to people who are injured in crimes of violence or in helping to prevent crime in Hong Kong. It also extends compensation to those injured by law enforcement officers using weapons in the execution of their duties. Payments are made to their surviving dependent family members in the case of persons killed in any one of these circumstances.

This scheme, which is non-means-tested, is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board. Both boards consist of the same chairman and members, who are appointed by the Governor, from outside the civil service.

During the year, total payments amounted to $9.0 million, compared with $7.6 million in the preceding year.

The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme is a no fault and non-means-tested scheme. It provides cash payments to victims of traffic accidents or their dependents. It is administered by the Director of Social Welfare in consultation with an advisory committee. For a person to be eligible, the traffic accident must be one as defined under the Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) Ordinance (Cap. 229) and must have been reported to the police. The application must be lodged within six months of the date of the accident. For an injury case, the victim must be medically certified to require at least three days sick leave. Payments cover personal injury and death but not damage to property.

Under the scheme, an applicant retains the right to claim legal damages or compensation from other sources for the same accident. In case of a successful claim, the applicant is