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The Social Security Appeal Board received 293 appeals against decisions relating to social security benefits in 2004-05, an increase of 44% compared with 204 appeals in the previous year.
The 293 appeals comprised 114 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases, 177 Social Security Allowance (SSA) cases and two Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) cases.
"Compared with the previous year, there was an increase of 42 appeals (58%) in CSSA, an increase of 46 appeals (35%) in SSA and an increase of one appeal in TAVA cases (100%)," a Social Welfare Department (SWD) spokesman said.
During the year, the board heard 244 cases, 84 of which were brought forward from 2003-04. No board hearings were conducted for seven cases brought forward from the previous year due to the appellants' withdrawal of the appeals.
Of the 244 appeals, the board confirmed the department's decisions in 192 cases (79%) and varied its decisions in 52 cases (21%).
The spokesman pointed out that for the 52 cases with decisions in favour of the appellants, 48 cases appealed against a medical decision and four non-medical CSSA cases appealed against SWD's decisions.
"As for the preceding year (2003-04), 169 cases were heard. Of them, the board confirmed the department's decisions in 123 cases (73%) and varied its decisions in 46 cases (27%)," he added.
"Anyone who is not satisfied with the decision of the SWD in respect of eligibility and payment of social security benefits can appeal in writing to the Board, which is an independent body," he said.
An appeal can be lodged at the office of the Appeal Board, the SWD's Headquarters or any of its 36 social security field units, or the TAVA Section.
Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:13
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