Social Security
Social security aims at meeting the basic and special needs of
the people in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who
are in need of financial or material assistance. This is achieved
through a non-contributory social security system
administered by the SWD. The mainstay of the system is the
CSSA Scheme and the Social Security Allowance (SSA)
Scheme, supplemented by three other schemes: the Criminal
and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the
Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and Emergency
Relief.
The CSSA Scheme is means-tested and is designed to bring
the income of needy individuals and families up to a level
where basic and special needs can be met. It comprises a
range of monthly standard rates to meet the basic needs of
different categories of eligible people. Rates range from $1,720
to $4,455 for a single person and from $1,535 to $4,115 for a
family member. A wide range of special grants caters for
recipients' special needs, such as rent, educational expenses,
medically recommended diets, glasses, dentures and burials.
An annual long-term supplement, ranging from $1,530 to
$4,305 depending on the size of the household, is paid to those
who have received assistance continuously for 12 months to
help replace household and durable goods, and a monthly
supplement of $245 is paid to single parents to counter the
difficulties they face in bringing up a family. To encourage
self-help, an individual's monthly earnings can be disregarded
up to a maximum of $1,720 in the calculation of assistance
payable. The first month's income of certain categories of
recipients (the elderly, disabled and family carers) who
manage to obtain full-time jobs can also be disregarded. The
standard rates and other related payments were increased by
6.5 per cent in April 1997 to take account of inflation.
At the end of the year, there were 188 800 CSSA cases,
compared with 159 100 in 1996. The elderly and the sick
made up the majority. Total expenditure during the year
amounted to $8.73 billion, representing an increase of 35.3 per
cent over the previous year.
The SSA Scheme comprises Disability Allowance and Old Age
Allowance Schemes. It provides flat-rate allowances to meet
the special needs of the severely disabled and the elderly
persons who are not eligible for comprehensive social security
assistance.
A person who suffers a severe disability broadly equivalent to
a total loss of earning capacity and has resided in Hong Kong
for at least one year immediately before application is eligible
for a disability allowance, which is not means-tested. The
normal rate is $1,200. A higher rate of $2,400 is payable to
severely disabled persons requiring constant attendance from
others but are not receiving such care in a government or
subvented institution or a medical institution under the Hospital
Authority.
The old age allowance is non-means-tested for those aged 70
and above, who are entitled to $675 a month. For those aged
65 to 69, the monthly allowance is $595, subject to a
declaration that their income and assets do not exceed the
prescribed levels. To be eligible for an old age allowance, a
person must have resided in Hong Kong for at least five years
since the age of 60. The levels of allowance were raised by
6.5 per cent in April 1997 to take account of inflation.
At the end of the year, 520 600 people were receiving social
security allowances, compared with 503 800 at the end of
1996. Total expenditure during the year was $4.26 billion,
representing an increase of 9.2 per cent over the previous
year.
The non-means-tested Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries
Compensation Scheme provides cash assistance to victims, or
their dependants in cases of death, who are injured or killed in
crimes of violence or by law enforcement officers using
weapons in the execution of their duties.
Under the scheme, an applicant retains his right to claim
damages or compensation from other sources in respect of the
same incident. Successful claimants are required to refund the
payment received from the scheme or the amount of damages
or compensation, whichever is the less.
During the year, 608 applications were approved for
assistance amounting to $14.7 million, compared with $11.1
million in the preceding year.
The non-means-tested Traffic Accident Victims Assistance
Scheme provides cash payments to victims of traffic
accidents, or their dependants in cases of death. It is
administered by the Director of Social Welfare in consultation
with an advisory committee. Payments cover personal injury
and death, but not damage to property.
Under the scheme, an applicant retains the right to claim
damages or compensation from other sources in respect of the
same accident. Successful claimants are required to refund the
payment received from the scheme or the amount of damages
or compensation, whichever is the less.
During the year, payments totalling $130 million were
approved, compared with $125.5 million in 1996.
Emergency relief, in the form of hot meals, dry rations and
other essential relief articles, is provided to victims of natural
or other disasters. Cash grants from the Emergency Relief
Fund are paid to these victims, or their dependants in cases of
death, to relieve hardship caused by disasters. Emergency
relief was given to 1 251 victims on 70 occasions during the
year.
The rates of grants payable under the Criminal and Law
Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic
Accident Victim Assistance Scheme and the Emergency Relief
Fund were increased in September to cover the rise in living
costs.
|
