CSSA caseload for February
**************************

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in February showed an increase of 4,500 cases over January, representing an increase of 1.6%, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (March 18).

     Total CSSA caseload at the end of February stood at 289,000 (see attached table), with a total of 476,353 recipients.

     Analysed by case nature, unemployment cases showed an increase of 3.5% to 32,875.

     Single parent cases registered a month-to-month increase of 1.8% to 36,831.

     Low earning cases showed a month-to-month increase of 2.8% to stand at 16,367.

     Total government expenditure on CSSA payments was about $18 billion for 2007-08.

Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:01

NNNN