Policy Address

Support for the Disadvantaged

Persons with Disabilities

153.         Compared with four years ago, the Government’s recurrent expenditure on support services for persons with disabilities has increased by nearly 50%.  In future, continuous and comprehensive support for persons with disabilities will be provided, such as training subsidies and offering on a pilot basis on-site rehabilitation services to pre-school children; extending the duration of post-placement follow-up service, raising the amount of employment and job trial subsidies, and giving employers subsidies to carry out workplace modifications; and supporting persons with disabilities through case managers, and providing home care service for persons with severe disabilities. 

154.         The inter-departmental working group co-ordinated by the Labour and Welfare Bureau has completed the review of the eligibility criteria for the Disability Allowance.  The Government will implement the following recommendations of the working group:

1. Improve the existing medical assessment arrangement for the Disability Allowance; and
2. Invite the Community Care Fund (CCF) to introduce pilot schemes to provide a living allowance for low-income carers of persons with disabilities, raising the maximum level of disregarded earnings for recipients with disabilities under the CSSA Scheme, and providing an additional grant for eligible recipients of higher Disability Allowance who are in paid employment.  The Labour Department will invite NGO(s) to assist in following up the employment support provided for job seekers with disabilities.

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