ENG-2008 — Page 240

188 Social Welfare

Sharing of the Fruits of Economic Prosperity and Relief of Inflationary Pressure

To share the fruits of economic prosperity with social security recipients, in June the Government provided one additional month of the standard rate payments of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) for CSSA recipients, one additional month's allowance for recipients of the Disability Allowance (DA) and a one-off grant of $3000 for Old Age Allowance (OAA) recipients.

To ease the impact of inflation, following the annual adjustment in February the Government made another adjustment to the standard payment rates of the CSSA in August in accordance with the existing mechanism, ahead of the normal annual adjustment cycle. Furthermore, one additional month of the CSSA standard rate payments and DA payments, and two additional months of OAA payments were also made in September to ease inflationary pressure on social security recipients.

Provision of Employment Assistance for Single Parents and Child Carers

The SWD commissioned NGOs to operate a 30-month Enhanced New Dawn Project from October 2007. This was designed to help single parents and child carers on the CSSA Scheme and with their youngest child aged between 12 and 14 to move towards self-reliance by engagement in paid employment. The NGOs provide employment assistance services to project participants to enhance their employability. At year-end, 5 777 people had participated in the project.

Employment Assistance for Able-bodied Unemployed Youth

To help long-term CSSA able-bodied unemployed youth aged between 15 and 29 return to the workforce, the SWD commissioned NGOs to operate a two-year Special Training and Enhancement Programme (My STEP) from October 2007. Participants are provided with counselling and structured motivational or disciplinary training to enhance their self-image, self-confidence and sense of responsibility. Participants aged between 15 and 24 are also provided with opportunities to participate in the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme administered by the Labour Department, enabling them to gain work experience through job attachment. At year-end, 588 unemployed youth had participated in the My STEP project.

Employment Assistance for Able-bodied Unemployed People

The SWD commissioned NGOs to operate a three-year Integrated Employment Assistance Scheme (EAS) from October to help able-bodied unemployed CSSA recipients aged between 15 and 59 secure full-time paid employment and become self-reliant. The Scheme provides ordinary and intensive employment assistance services. At year-end, 20 983 unemployed people had participated in the IEAS.

Transport Supplement for Persons with Severe Disability

With effect from July 1, a monthly transport supplement of $200 has been provided to CSSA and DA recipients aged between 12 and 64 with severe disability to encourage their participation in activities away from home and facilitate their integration into society.

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