Policy Address

Improving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme

59.         Poverty line analysis shows that the CSSA is effective in alleviating poverty.  To keep in line with the broad policy directions of promoting upward mobility and self-reliance through employment as a means of poverty alleviation, new measures should focus on enhancing support for students receiving CSSA and increasing work incentives for adult CSSA recipients.  The Government will implement the following measures:

1. Increase the grants for school-related expenses for primary and secondary students of CSSA families through regularisation of a CCF programme from the 2014/15 school year;

2. Include post-secondary students of CSSA families in the calculation of rent allowance with effect from April 2014 so a family’s entitlement will not be affected if it has members receiving post-secondary education; and

3. Implement a pilot incentive scheme under the CCF in line with recommendations endorsed by the CoP to encourage able-bodied CSSA recipients to leave the safety net and achieve self-reliance through employment.

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