Average Cash Savings Per Member of Households Receiving ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance and ComCare Long-term Assistance in Last Five Years

Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in each of the last five years (a) what is the average amount of cash savings per household member for households who receive (i) ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (STMA) and (ii) ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) respectively; (b) what is the number and percentage of applications rejected for (i) STMA and (ii) LTA respectively due to the household's cash savings; (c) whether the amount of cash savings owned by the applicant is considered in assessing his ComCare application; (d) what is the maximum amount of cash savings per household member allowed; and (e) whether this is communicated publicly.

Mr Desmond Lee: In assessing ComCare applications for financial assistance, we examine applicants' income, owned assets, including personal savings and expenditure. Where applicants need assistance for their basic living needs, such assistance may take the form of cash assistance, assistance with their household bills, and referrals to other agencies for services such as family services and employment assistance.

In considering applicants' savings, MSF takes into account factors, such as contingency savings for emergency expenses and household size. There is no hard threshold, and Social Service Offices can exercise flexibility taking into account the applicants' circumstances and needs.

Table 1 provides the average amount of cash savings for households receiving ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) and Long-Term Assistance (LTA) per household member for 2016 to 2018. Data before 2016 is not readily available.

Table 2 provides the number and percentage of ComCare SMTA and LTA applications that were rejected due to their household's cash savings from 2016 to 2018. 1

Note(s) to Question No(s) 51:

1 Note: Other key reasons for rejecting a ComCare application would include clients withdrawing their applications or being uncontactable, and clients having a stable source of income or financial support.