(Q2): Persons emigrated overseas returning to Hong Kong for welfare benefits and services
MR CHAN CHUN-YING:
Thank you, President. In the second last paragraph of the main reply, it says: “Users of social welfare services of the Social Welfare Department or subvented organizations generally receive the relevant services in Hong Kong. If service users do not receive service for a long period due to absence from Hong Kong, they will be required to withdraw from the relevant services.” However, no specific examples are given.
May I ask whether these service users will be required to go through any formalities on their own if they need to withdraw from the services due to their absence from Hong Kong? Or will the Government take the initiative to revoke their eligibility for the services based on the information it has obtained? Thank you.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR LABOUR AND WELFARE:
President, I thank Mr CHAN Chun-ying for his supplementary question. Regarding our services, take community elderly care services as an example, if a recipient has not used the service for a long time, we would check whether the recipient is residing in Hong Kong; if not, we would disqualify him/her from using the service. If the recipient wishes to use the service again in the future, he/she will have to queue up again and be placed on the general waiting list for social welfare services. We have put in place a standardized assessment mechanism. This is our overall principle. As regards the issue of active monitoring, if the service users do not turn up, we will know about it. So it is easier for us, and the situation is slightly different from the healthcare system. Thank you, President.