ENG-1994 — Page 235

SOCIAL WELFARE

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Expenditure on comprehensive social security assistance during the year amounted to $3,235.1 million, representing an increase of 56 per cent over the previous year.

The Social Security Allowance Scheme replaced the former Special Needs Allowance Scheme, also in July 1993. Former public assistance and special needs allowance recipients receive their payment under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme. The Social Security Allowance Scheme provides flat-rate allowances for the severely disabled and the elderly who are not on comprehensive social security assistance.

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. A higher disability allowance, which is twice the normal rate, is payable to 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. The current monthly rate for the disability allowance is $970, and for the higher disability allowance $1,940. The allowance is non-means-tested.

The old age allowance is also non-means-tested for those aged 70 and above, and they are entitled to $550 per month. For those aged 65 to 69, the monthly allowance is set at $485, subject to a declaration that income and assets do not exceed the prescribed levels. To be eligible for an old age allowance, a person must have resided in Hong Kong for at least five years since the age of 60.

The disability allowance and the old age allowance were both raised by 7.7 per cent in April to reflect the rise in the cost of living.

The number of people receiving such allowances at the end of the year was 484 600, compared with 468 600 at the end of 1993. Expenditure on social security allowances during the year was $3,212.9 million, representing an increase of 5.3 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 while 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 the surviving dependent family members in the case of persons killed in any one of these circumstances. The scheme, which is non-means-tested, is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board. During the year, total payments amounted to $12.5 million, compared with $9.3 million in the preceding year.

The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme provides cash payments to victims of traffic accidents or their dependants. It is a non-means-tested scheme which disregards the issue of fault in accidents and is administered by the Director of Social Welfare in consultation with an advisory committee.

For a person to be eligible, the accident must fall within the definition of the Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) Ordinance and must have been reported to the police. Payments cover personal injury and death, but not damage to property.

Under the scheme, an applicant retains his right to claim legal damages or compensation from other sources for the same accident. In case of a successful claim, he is required to refund either the payment received from the scheme or the amount of damages or compensation, whichever is the less.