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Following is a question by the Hon Ho Sai-chu and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (May 17):

Question :

It was reported that staff of some residential homes for the elderly abetted elderly residents and their family members in withholding information about the assets and income of the elderly residents concerned so as to obtain the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) payments by deception. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has investigated if the above-mentioned cases are prevalent; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(b) of the measures it will adopt to curb such abetting acts?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) All new Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) applications are subject to thorough checking by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) before assistance is granted. The SWD also conduct regular reviews and random checks on existing cases to ensure that assistance is provided only to those in genuine need. The SWD will carry out in-depth investigation on suspected fraud cases identified through internal reviews or reported by the public through the Report Abuse Hotline. In 1999/2000, the SWD carried out in-depth investigation on five suspected fraud cases involving elderly recipients living in residential care home but no fraud was established. There is no evidence to suggest that there are wide-spread fraudulent practices among this category of recipients.

(b) Staff of the SWD will explain clearly to CSSA applicants at the time of application and case review that they should provide true and complete information. All applicants are required to make a declaration that they understand that it is a criminal offence to obtain CSSA by deception through deliberate provision of false information or omission of information and that offenders are liable to prosecution. To ensure proper disbursement of public funds and to deter fraud, staff are required to conduct thorough investigation and verification before authorization of payment.

Furthermore, the SWD will pay special attention to establish the genuine financial need of elderly people who used to live with and supported by their family but apply for CSSA after admission to elderly homes. Families are required to provide information to SWD on financial support they give to their elderly members when an application is considered. Any fraud case detected will be referred to the police for necessary actions.

End/Wednesday, May 17, 2000

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