ENG-2013 — Page 216

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Social Welfare

Higher DA. OALA is also meant to supplement the living expenses of elderly people aged 65 or above who are in need of financial support. At year-end, 704,372 people were receiving SSA, with total expenditure in 2013 of $17.3 billion, an increase of 67.3 per cent over 2012.

Accident Compensation Schemes

The CLEIC scheme (which paid out $5.34 million in 2013) offers financial assistance on a non- means-tested basis to those injured (or to their dependants in the case of death) as a result of a crime of violence, or by a law enforcement officer using a weapon in the execution of his duty. The TAVA scheme, which paid out $208.1 million in 2013, provides financial assistance on a non- means-tested basis to people injured (or to their dependants in the case of death) in road traffic accidents regardless of who is responsible for the accident.

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 in the case of death to their dependants. Emergency relief was given to 439 victims of 15 disasters in 2013.

Social Security Appeal Board

The Social Security Appeal Board considers appeals against the SWD's decisions on CSSA, SSA and TAVA and ruled on 369 appeals in 2013.

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 prevents and combats fraud and abuse of social security assistance. The public can make reports via a special hotline. At year-end, 268 abusers had been jailed, bound over, ordered to perform community service, fined, or given warnings.

Services for the Elderly

The government encourages and assists elderly persons to lead active and healthy lives. The SWD provides various community care and support services for them so that they may 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 SWD provides subsidised residential care services.

The SWD subsidises the Opportunities for the Elderly Project run by community organisations to make life more meaningful for elderly persons. In 2013, government grants totalling $4 million subsidised 263 programmes.

The SWD has issued Senior Citizen Cards to about 1.47 million elderly persons in Hong Kong over the years, allowing them to enjoy concessions, discounts and priority service provided by various companies, organisations and government departments.

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