Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ7: Case of obtaining CSSA by deception
Following is a question by the Hon Eric Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
Question :
It has been reported that a woman was found last month to have withheld information about her possessing assets in Hong Kong and the Mainland, the value of which was over ten million dollars, in order to defraud the government of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance ("CSSA") payments. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it conducts investigations when vetting and approving CSSA applications to find out if the applicants possess assets in other territories; if it does, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) it has conducted regular random checks on the immigration records of CSSA recipients' leaving and returning to Hong Kong, and asked them to give the reasons for their departure from Hong Kong; and
(c) it will consider imposing financial penalties on those who have been convicted of obtaining CSSA payments by deception?
Reply�G
Madam President,
(a) Any person who applies for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) is obliged to provide true information about his or her financial situation to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) including the total assets in and outside Hong Kong belonged to the applicant and his or her family. Wilfully giving false information or withholding information in order to obtain assistance by deception is a criminal offence. The applicant may, in addition to being disqualified for CSSA, be liable to prosecution under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210). The SWD conducts reviews, random checks and data matching with other Government Departments and organisations in Hong Kong to cross check the information given by applicants and applicants' continued eligibility for assistance.
(b) CSSA recipients, like other residents of Hong Kong are free to leave and return to Hong Kong. Assistance is also payable during a recipient's temporary absence from Hong Kong provided that the total number of days of absence from Hong Kong does not exceed the permissible limits* in a yearly period. All recipients' absences can be identified through monthly matching exercise with the Immigration Department. Recipients will be requested to give the reason for their departure from Hong Kong, if there are circumstances which warrant explanation such as frequent absences from Hong Kong of a recipient classified as a family carer.
(c) A recipient who has obtained overpayment by giving false information or withholding information will be asked to repay SWD the overpayment. Fraud cases are referred to Police for further investigation and possible prosecution. Those convicted of obtaining CSSA payments by deception may be subject to such penalties as imprisonment, community service orders and financial penalties as decided by the Court.
Note * : 180 days a year for elderly or disabled recipients
60 days a year for other recipients
End/Wednesday, February 12, 2003
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