ENG-2003 — Page 243

SOCIAL WELFARE

compared with 561 078 in 2002. Total expenditure during the year was $5.27 billion, representing a decrease of 0.9 per cent over the previous year.

Deflationary Adjustment

To restore social security benefits to their originally intended buying power in view of the deflation over the last four years, the Chief Executive in Council approved in February proposals to adjust the standard payment rates under the CSSA Scheme and those of the Disability Allowance (DA) under the SSA Scheme downwards in accordance with the movement of the Social Security Assistance Index of Prices. With the enactment of the 2003 Appropriation Ordinance, the CSSA standard rates for able-bodied recipients and the DA rates were reduced by 11.1 per cent from June, and the CSSA standard rates for the elderly, the disabled and those who are medically certified to be in ill-health were first reduced by 6 per cent in October, to be followed by a second-phase reduction a year later. Other standard payment rates and asset limits under the CSSA Scheme were reduced from June in accordance with the established mechanisms.

Accident Compensation Schemes

The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme offers ex gratia payments on a non-means-tested basis to innocent victims injured or to dependants of those killed in crimes of violence or through the action of a law enforcement officer using a weapon in the execution of his duties. During the year, a total of $9.68 million was paid out in 635 cases, compared with $9.60 million in the previous year. The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Scheme offers early financial assistance for people injured or for dependants of those killed in traffic accidents on a non- means-tested basis, regardless of the element of fault leading to the occurrence of the accident. During the year, a total of $154.70 million was paid out in 7939 cases, compared with $150.18 million in 2002.

Emergency relief in the form of cooked meals or cash grants in lieu of cooked meals and other essential relief articles is provided to victims of natural and other disasters. Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are paid to these victims (or to their dependants in cases of death). Emergency relief was given to 104 victims on 20 occasions during the year.

Social Security Appeal Board

The Social Security Appeal Board considers appeals against the SWD's decisions concerning the CSSA, SSA and TAVA. It heard a total of 147 appeals during the year. The department continued to strengthen the function of the Special Investigation Section and further tighten measures to reduce fraud and abuse of welfare benefits. At the same time, a risk management approach was being adopted in the administration of the social security schemes.

Services for Elders

The basic principle underlying services for elders is to provide senior citizens with a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a feeling of health and worthiness. The aim is to promote the well-being of those persons aged 60 and above in all aspects of their life through provision of services that will enable them to remain active members of the community for as long as possible, and, to the extent necessary, to provide residential care suited to their varying needs.

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