ENG-2009 — Page 256

196 Social Welfare

Emergency Relief

Emergency relief in the form of meals or cash-in-lieu of meals and other necessities is given to victims of natural or other disasters. Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are paid to eligible victims or to their dependants in case of death. Emergency relief was given to 243 victims of nine disasters during the year.

Social Security Appeal Board

The Social Security Appeal Board considers appeals against SWD's decisions on CSSA, SSA and TAVA issues. The board ruled on 440 appeals during the year.

Prevention of Fraud and Abuse

To preserve the integrity of the social security system and ensure the proper use of public funds, the SWD's Special Investigation Section continues to prevent and combat fraud and abuse of social security assistance. A special hotline is in place for the public to make reports. In addition, to promote community education and the law-abiding spirit, anti-fraud information panels displaying fraud-related prosecution figures and court news have been installed in the SWD's frontline offices. At year- end, 219 abusers had been jailed, bound over, ordered to perform community service, fined, or given warnings.

Services for the Elderly

The Government encourages and assists the elderly to lead active and healthy lives. It provides various community care and support services for them to continue living in their homes or familiar surroundings. For elderly persons who have long- term care needs but cannot be adequately taken care of at home, the Government provides subsidised residential care services.

The SWD continues to subsidise the Opportunities for the Elderly Project run by community organisations to make life more meaningful for elderly people. During the year, 272 programmes were subsidised by government grants amounting to $3 million.

Over the years, more than 1.2 million Senior Citizen Cards have been issued to elderly persons in Hong Kong with which they may enjoy concessions, discounts and priority service provided by various companies, organisations and government departments.

Community Care and Support Services

At year-end, the Government was supporting 211 elderly centres (including DECCs, NECs and social centres for the elderly), 126 service teams (including integrated home care service teams, enhanced home and community care service teams, support teams for the elderly and a home help team), 58 day care centres or units for the elderly and a holiday centre for elderly persons. Support is also provided for their carers.