SWD and ICAC announce investigation into suspected fraudulent act seeking to obtain subsidies from Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly
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Launched as a pilot programme in September 2013 and regularised in 2023, the Scheme provides needy elderly persons with more options in community care services so that they can enjoy their lives in familiar environments. Adopting the "money-following-the-user" concept, the Scheme not only allows elderly users to purchase suitable community care services from RSPs for meeting their needs, but also allows them to switch RSPs in a flexible manner. The services include nursing care, rehabilitation services, carer training, home safety assessments and home modification recommendations, meal delivery and escort services, etc.
The SWD received a report last year that an RSP was suspected of making use of the Scheme to deceive Government subsidies by submitting false service records to the SWD and encouraging families or carers of the elderly persons to make fraudulent claims on their service uses. While making an immediate referral to the ICAC, the SWD also provided the ICAC with relevant information to assist their investigation.
The five arrested persons come from two different service providers. The SWD has strengthened the auditing of their service records and documents. Elderly users and their families were also contacted to ensure that the elders have obtained the services they need.
The SWD stressed that it will continue to perform its monitoring role and take follow-up actions on all suspected cases seriously. Unannounced service-monitoring visits, sampling checks as well as reviews on records and documents are conducted to ensure that RSPs have been providing services to the voucher holders according to the SWD's service requirements.
The SWD will require RSPs to make improvements on their services or sanctions will be imposed on them if there are any irregularities. Should any RSPs fail to provide services or make improvements in accordance with the relevant requirements, the SWD will consider suspension or termination of the service agreements with the RSPs.
The SWD reaffirms its zero tolerance for any unlawful act. Referrals will be made to the enforcement agencies for investigations to safeguard the proper use of public funds and the well-being of elderly people.
The SWD will continue to strictly monitor the service quality of RSPs and review the relevant procedures with reference to the corruption prevention advice provided by the ICAC. Subject to the investigation results of the ICAC, the SWD may terminate the service agreements with the service providers concerned. If there are any subsidies released to non-entitled bodies, the SWD will take appropriate actions to recover the overpayments.
Ends/Thursday, August 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:45
Issued at HKT 16:45
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