HKCSS research reveals that more than half of eligible subdivided housing households do not apply for CSSA, and 70% of WFA are below the poverty line

Many subdivided households are living in dire straits.

However, a study conducted by the HKCSS found that about half of the interviewed subdivided housing households who were eligible for CSSA and WFA did not apply. The average household income of those applying for CSSA and WFA is $3,199 less than that of the families who have applied for it, and the worst is even less than $14,000.

The HKCSS said that many residents said they did not know the relevant system, some thought they were unqualified and did not know the information, and some said they did not need it.

They described the situation as serious, that is, half of the eligible people are not benefiting at present. "It seems that the goal of the system originally designed by the government is not met."

The HKCSS found that among eligible subdivided housing households, 50.6% and 52.7% did not apply for CSSA and WFA respectively.

(provided by the Society)

During the period from June 1 to December 21 last year, the HKCSS conducted a questionnaire survey on subdivided housing households through 57 social service units in Hong Kong providing services to subdivided housing families. A total of 1,389 questionnaires were returned.

The HKCSS pointed out that the unemployment rate of the interviewed household members was as high as 18.6%, which was higher than the 4.5% unemployment rate of the whole Hong Kong during the same period.

In addition, the total monthly income of the interviewed households was only HK$12,500, but the median of the whole territory was HK$26,500.

More than half of the eligible households in subdivided housing do not apply for CSSA or have a wage gap of up to RMB 14,000

The HKCSS said that among the interviewed households, 46.3% and 58.6% were eligible for CSSA and WFA respectively.

However, among the eligible households, 50.6% and 52.7% did not apply for the above two types of social security. Many of them thought they were not eligible to apply, 30% and 2 adults respectively, and 24.6% said that No one has heard of job allowances, and some people even worry about social labels.

The survey also pointed out that only 24.2% of the respondents had heard of all social security systems, and 7.7% said they had never heard of any social security, including CSSA, WFA, Old Age Allowance, Disability Allowance, etc. People are under financial pressure, but have never heard of the system."

The Director-General (Policy Research and Advocacy) of HKCSS Huang Heping said that the situation is serious, "I can't estimate how many there are." Huang believes that when the government designed the welfare policy, it should have hoped to help those in need, but now half of the eligible people are None of them benefited. "It seems that it does not meet the goals of the government's original design of the system."

The HKCSS estimates that under eligible households, the average income of each household will decrease by $3,199 compared to those applying for CSSA and WFA, and even $14,329 in the most serious cases.

They estimated that there were 20,065 and 26,450 sub-divided housing households in Hong Kong, respectively, who did not apply for CSSA and WFA even if they were eligible.

Yan Zhiqi, Director (Policy Research and Advocacy) of the HKCSS, pointed out that this study only focused on interviewing households whose income in the past month was lower than 75% of the median household income in Hong Kong, so it is believed that the actual situation has been underestimated.

The HKCSS estimates that if eligible households do not apply for CSSA or WFA, their average household income will be $3,199 less than after applying.

(file picture)

About 70% of those without CSSA are below the poverty line and nearly 40% have borrowed money

The survey also pointed out that in the last six months, among eligible subdivided housing households who did not receive CSSA or WFA, 90% and 80% of the households respectively indicated that their households were under financial pressure, and 73.4% and 34.1% were poor respectively. Under the line, the HKCSS described: "Though these people are poor, they have no protection." With no income, the savings of those who do not receive CSSA or WFA can only cover one and two months of living. .

In the face of economic hardship, the study also found that many eligible subdivided housing households who did not apply for CSSA or WFA need to borrow money to cope.

The survey results show that in the past year, 38.1% and 26.8% of the people had borrowed money respectively, and most of them were unemployed or underemployed, or had to cope with daily living expenses.

Yan Zhiqi also pointed out that many people have to deliberately keep their living expenses down, for example, they have to wait until the market closes before buying "discounted food". ”

Director (Policy Research and Advocacy) Huang Heping (left), Director (Policy Research and Advocacy) Yan Zhiqi (right).

(provided by the Society)

Social welfare information dissemination channels should be increased

Huang Heping pointed out that many households in subdivided flats lack social networks and have little knowledge of the social security system. Therefore, it is recommended to provide support services in communities with dense subdivided flats, such as providing information through door-to-door.

In addition, the government should also improve the dissemination channels and transparency of social welfare information, such as developing a database to identify potential recipients and issuing automatic notifications to them. It is also pointed out that the design is common overseas.

Huang also suggested that the government should increase transitional housing and strengthen social service elements in the project.

As for the already implemented rent control on subdivided houses, he suggested that the government should set the starting rent at the same time, so as to avoid the landlord from intentionally raising the rent at the starting time.

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