CSSA caseload for January
*************************

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in January showed a decrease of 326 cases over December 2009 representing a decrease of 0.1%, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (February 24).

     Total CSSA caseload at the end of January stood at 288,813 (see attached table), with a total of 480,891 recipients.

     Analysed by case nature, unemployment cases showed a decrease of 0.6% to 33,089.

     Low-earning cases showed an increase of 0.03% to stand at 15,637 while single-parent cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 0.3% to 36,110.

Ends/Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:36

NNNN