ENG-2014 — Page 216

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Social Welfare

with their youngest child aged 12 to 14 to find employment and become self-reliant. At year- end, 30,997 CSSA recipients had participated in the IEAPS. In April, the CCF launched a three- year pilot scheme to further encourage able-bodied CSSA recipients to secure employment and leave the CSSA net.

The SWD randomly selected around 2,050 recipients to participate in the scheme.

The SSA Scheme

The non-contributory SSA scheme provides elderly people and persons with severe disabilities with cash allowances to meet their special needs. It comprises OALA, OAA, Normal DA and 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, 771,683 people were receiving SSA, with total expenditure in 2014 of $18.5 billion, an increase of 6.8 per cent over 2013.

Accident Compensation Schemes

The CLEIC scheme (which paid out $5.29 million in 2014) 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 $218.2 million during the year, 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 591 victims of 18 disasters in 2014.

Social Security Appeal Board

The Social Security Appeal Board considers appeals against SWD decisions on CSSA, SSA and TAVA and ruled on 385 appeals in 2014.

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, 333 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 and various community care and support services are provided to enable them to continue living in their homes. In addition, subsidised residential care services are provided for elderly persons who have long-term care needs but cannot be adequately taken care of at home.

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