Welfare academics and analysts believe there will be few surprises for the sector in the Budget.
University of Hong Kong department of social work and social administration professor Nelson Chow Wing-sun said most of the possible changes were under consultation and so far no conclusions had been drawn.
Professor Chow said a change in allowances for the elderly as suggested in October's Policy Address would only take place at the end of the year after a review.
He said there would be changes in youth policies, where more funding would be given to youth services.
Professor Chow said he hoped the Government would do more to help the poor.
Assistant director of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Virginia Chan Choi-ying, agreed: 'The Financial Secretary visited some poor families recently. He also felt sad for them. The wealth gap is getting wider and wider. We must do something about it.'
