Punishment for community work fraud

The following statement is issued by the Social Welfare Department:

On December 17, 2004 at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Court, a Ms To was sentenced to 24 months probation for forgery in connection with the case of a Mr Kwong who had already been sentenced to a term in a Drug Addiction Treatment Centre. The case arose as a result of a forgery of a medical certificate to assist Mr Kwong to avoid his requirement to perform community work under the Social Welfare Department (SWD)''''''''''''''''s Support for Self-Reliance Scheme.

A spokesman of the SWD reminds Comprehensive Social Security Allowance (CSSA) applicants not to try to defy the law.

The defendant in this case had applied for CSSA on the grounds of unemployment. All able-bodied unemployed CSSA adults are required to join the Support for Self-Reliance Scheme in order to be eligible for CSSA.

Under the scheme, the clients must participate in activities such as community work arranged by the department and meetings with the SWD''''''''''''''''s Employment Assistance Coordinator to report on their job-seeking efforts. The purpose of the Support for Self-Reliance Scheme is to encourage and assist them to be self-reliant.

The SWD will not tolerate applicants intentionally making false statements or using any form of deception to evade their responsibility to participate in the Support for Self-Reliance Scheme. Those who purposely aid or abet others to obtain CSSA payments by deception are liable to a criminal charge.

The department will continue to work closely with the Police to deter CSSA abusers.

End

Friday, December 17, 2004