Introduction
Charitable/Trust Fund
Charitable/TrustFundsareintendedtoprovidereliefintheformofdirectandtemporarygrantsfortheneedofindividualsandfamiliesinspecialandemergencysituationsforwhichotherfinancialassistancemaynotbe applicableorreadilyavailable.TheseFundsareusuallysetupbydonorswithspecifiedbeneficiariesandcategoriesof assistance. General enquiries and applications can be madeatintegratedfamily servicecentres/integrated services centres ofthe SocialWelfareDepartment and Non-governmental Organizations.
The followingsare the majorcharitable/trust funds under the administration of the Social WelfareDepartment:
1.Tang Shiu Kin and HoTim Charitable Fund
Beneficiaries
TheFundistoprovidedirect,temporaryassistanceforneedyindividualsandfamiliesinspecialand emergencysituation for whichothersourcesmay not beapplicable orreadily available.
Categoriesofassistance
(a)tocopewithhardshipsarisingfromunexpectedcircumstance,e.g.deathofabreadwinner,anaccident to a memberof thefamily, sudden orprolongedserious illness, etc.
(b)asaresultof(a),to maintain achild throughhiseducation,topurchaseequipmentsuchas wheelchairsorartificialappliances,oranyotheritemsasmayberecommendedbymedical practitionersand not obtainablefromanyotherfinancialsources,andtomeetabnormallyhigh costsfor medical treatment, special diets or other nutritious food onmedical advice;
(c)to meet special expenses inconnectionwithconvalescence;
(d)tomeet special needarising fromphysical or mental disability orchronic illness;
(e)upondischargefromvarioustypesofinstitutions,asacapitalgrant,toestablishthemselvesin employment or small businessin order that they may liveindependently;
(f)tomeetbasicneedsattherateofComprehensiveSocialSecurityAllowance(CSSA)Scheme despite ineligibility for CSSAor while pending adecision onthe eligibilityfor CSSA;
(g)tomeetsettingupandotherexpensesinconnectionwithremovaltonewaccommodationin licensed areas or in public housing estates; including payment of rent arrearsasa resultof imprisonment,treatment or rehabilitation;
(h)topurchaseclothings or otheressentials overfestive seasons;
(i)tomeet urgentneed arisingfromanaturaldisasterorfromamishap;
(j)to meetexpensesin the participation in organizedrecreationalactivities(for families and school children);
(k)funeral expenses for inmates of aged homewithoutrelatives;
(l)educationexpenses forchildren of needy families;
(m)tomeetanyotherexpensesasmaybeauthorizedbythecommitteeortheDirectorofSocial
Welfare.
2.Li Po Chun CharitableTrust Fund
Beneficiaries
(a)Individualsandfamiliesindistressandwhosenetincomeisaboutoneandone-thirdofthe
current basic scale rateoftheComprehensive SocialSecurity Allowance (CSSA) after deduction of essential expenditure such as rent,travelling,schoolrelated expenses and medically recommended diet, etc. which is recognised undertheCSSASchemecanbe considered forassistance fromthe Fund.
(b)Individualsandfamilieswho arereceivingCSSAshouldnot become beneficiariesof the Fund
Categoriesofassistance
(a)Grants for essentialexpenses resultingfrommovingtopublichousingunits ortemporaryhousing areas,or otheraccommodationintheprivatesector.
(b)Grantstomaintainpaymentofrentandotherrelatedrequirementsandtocoverarrearsofthe same.
(c)Grants essential for the welfare oftheapplicant in coping with special needs arising from crisis orunexpected circumstances.
(d)Grants to patients to meet expenses for medical treatment or assessment when government clinicserviceisnotavailableoraseconddiagnosticopinionisrequiredinthemanagementofapatient.
(e)Burial grants for needynon-naturaldisastervictims.
(f)Grantsforpurchaseofspectacles,denturesandmedical/rehabilitationappliancesonmedical recommendation andrepair serviceof thesame.
(g)Grantsforpurchaseof necessary itemsfor needy casesunder special circumstances.
(h)AnyspecialgrantswhichtheDirectorofSocialWelfareconsidersappropriatesuchasgrants
to individuals in distress for repatriation, renting medical/rehabilitation appliances during period of convalescence.
3.Kwan FongTrust Fund forthe Needy
Beneficiaries
(a)Individuals and families in distress,e.g. suicide/murder cases, accident victims, peoplesuffering fromunemployment,imprisonment, illnessor loss ofbreadwinner.
(b)Womenand children,e.g. unmarriedmothers, battered wives,widowsandtheir dependent children.
(c)Theaged,thesickandthedisabled.
Categoriesofassistance
(1)Grantsfornecessary educationalexpenses.
(2)Temporary grants formaintenanceor purchase/payment ofessential items/expenses.
(3)Temporary grants for hostel chargesandmaintenance during period ofadjustment.
(4)Burial grants for needynon-naturaldisastervictims.
(5)Special grantsand child careexpensesforunmarriedmothers.
(6)Grants for traveling and related expenses for needy clients other than distressed British subjectsforrepatriation.
(7)Anyspecialgrant which theDirectorof SocialWelfareconsiders appropriate.
4.BrewinTrustFund
Beneficiaries
(a)Widows/Widowers
Thewidows/widowersmust be residents in Hong Kong for not less than 1 month.
(b)Orphans
Theorphansmustbeunder 21 yearsof age.They must beresidentsin Hong Kongfor not less than 1month and havelost either one or both parentsthrough death.
(c)Workmen
The workmen(including females)who, having beenemployedin Hong Kong,have becomewholly orin part incapacitatedfor work by reason ofage,sickness, disablement or otherwise,who appeartorequiresuch maintenanceandbenefit in the opinion of the BrewinTrust Fund Committee(Sect.4(1) oftheOrdinance).
Categoriesofassistance
(a)Burialexpenses
(b)Medical expenses
(c)Capital for startingsmall business
(d)Cost ofequipment or toolsfor improvement of living
(e)Schoolingexpenses
(f)Rental expenses
(g)Maintenance during a crisis
(h)Maintenance beforeincome fromemployment being available
(i)Incidentalpayments, suchasfor travelling, simple clothing, small householdarticles
(j)Assistanceforanyotherpaymentwhichappearstoacaseworksupervisortobeessentialfor the welfareof the applicant.