Community Care Fund special care subsidy for the severely disabled extended
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The following is issued on behalf of the Community Care Fund Secretariat:

     The Community Care Fund (CCF) announced today (November 29) the second extension of the assistance programme "Special Care Subsidy for the Severely Disabled", with the monthly family income limit relaxed from 100 per cent to 150 per cent of the Median Monthly Domestic Household Income (MMDHI) to benefit more severely disabled persons and their families. The programme is administered by the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

     The programme was rolled out in September 2011 and was first extended in November 2012. It aims at providing a special care subsidy for severely disabled persons who are living in the community, requiring constant attendance and not receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. Eligible persons will receive a special subsidy for a maximum of 12 months. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

* Aged below 60 as at July 31, 2013;
* Living in the community and receiving Higher Disability Allowance under the Social Security Allowance Scheme as at July 31, 2013; and
* Having a monthly family income not exceeding 150 per cent of the MMDHI.

     The rate of subsidy an eligible person is entitled to for the whole period will be calculated based on his/her monthly family income at the time of application. There are three levels of subsidy, i.e. those with family income at or less than 100 per cent of the MMDHI to receive "full grant" of the subsidy ($2,000 per month), those with family income from more than 100 per cent to 125 per cent of the MMDHI to receive "three-quarters" of the subsidy ($1,500 per month), and those with family income from more than 125 per cent to 150 per cent of the MMDHI to receive "half grant" of the subsidy ($1,000 per month).

     The SWD will issue letters to invite applications from persons who may be eligible for the programme. Applicants are required to submit the completed application forms together with all necessary documents by post or by hand to the CCF Team of the SWD on or before February 28, 2014. Notification of application results will be issued to the applicants and the subsidy is expected to be disbursed to eligible persons starting from January 2014.

     For details, please visit the CCF website (www.communitycarefund.hk) or the SWD website (www.swd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the CCF Team of the SWD at 3422 3090 during office hours.

Ends/Friday, November 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:01

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