Needy ignorant of rights

ALMOST all interviewees receiving social assistance from the Government were ignorant of their right to apply for extra living allowances, a survey showed yesterday.

Data compiled by the Polytechnic University's Department of Applied Social Sciences showed all 46 respondents in an intensive case study did not know to which special grants, covering more than 270 items, they were entitled.

The present 150,000 recipients of comprehensive social security assistance are automatically eligible for these wide-ranging grants, including help with water and electricity bills, textbook subsidies, transport and dental fees.

The Government spends about $1.2 billion on special grants. About 90 per cent of the sum is spent on housing allowances, leaving about $120 million for recipients' other living needs.

Social worker Lee Kim-man said many elderly people or single-parent families, which comprise more than 70 per cent of special grant recipients, did not apply for the allowances they deserved.

'They don't know what the so-called special grants are,' Mr Lee said. 'And the staff at the Social Welfare Department seldom actively explain to them what allowances they can apply for.' Each single elderly claimant is currently eligible for $1,810 in assistance, a monthly standard allowance, and single parents for $1,045.