Introduction

The financially vulnerable would suffer extreme hardship without government's social security support. There are elderly who have been unable to make provision for their retirement years. Others may need short-term help such as a single parent with young children to look after or the temporarily unemployed.

Objectives

The overall objective of social security in Hong Kong is to provide for the basic and special needs of the members of the community who are in need of financial or material assistance.

The above objective is achieved through a non-contributory social security system administered by the Department. It comprises the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, Social Security Allowance Scheme, Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and Emergency Relief.