Moves afoot to meet CSSA surge

Special measures have been taken to meet a surge in Comprehensive Social Security Assistance applications, labor and welfare secretary Law Chi-kwong said in his blog yesterday.

A total of 1,841 CSSA applications were received in March, more than double that of February.

For those whose assistance expires between January 29 and November 30, eligibility will be automatically renewed for a year and there will be an exemption in home visits until August 31.

Temporary staffing arrangements will also be made to process applications, with the labor and welfare bureau set to recruit former employees through the post-retirement service contract scheme.

"Simplified procedures ensure that CSSA payments can be delivered to recipients on time and relevant applications can be processed as soon as possible," Law said.

The bureau said that despite special arrangements in its public services, it has been operating via other ways such as through drop boxes and the postal system.

It recommended that all subsidized preschool rehabilitation service units resume training services on crowd control measures, with priority for children transitioning to primary one.

Separately, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency will resume normal services starting today.

"The agency will process all applications as soon as possible to enable applicants for the working family allowance to receive the subsidy as soon as possible," Law said.

He said the agency is also preparing for the provision of special allowances to eligible working family allowance households and student financial assistance households under the anti-epidemic fund, with payments expected to be completed by the end of June.