Support for Self-reliance (SFS) Scheme

To assist unemployed able-bodied CSSA applicants / recipients to enhance their employability and encourage them to secure paid employment to move towards self-reliance.

Support Programme for the Unemployed (SPU)

The SWD has commissioned non-governmental organisations to operate the SPU. Unemployed able-bodied CSSA applicants / recipients aged 15 to 59 are required to participate in unpaid work in person with a view to facilitating their integration into society, instilling in them a work habit and enriching their work experience to enhance employability, thereby reducing their reliance on CSSA in the longer term. The participants are required to take up unpaid work at least once a week and for at least one hour on each occasion until they have secured paid employment* or returned to mainstream schooling.

*For those unemployed able-bodied CSSA applicants / recipients aged 15 to 59 who are working no less than 120 hours per month with earnings no less than the prescribed level set by the SWD, they need not to participate in the SPU.

Disregarded Earnings (DE)

The provision of DE under the CSSA Scheme aims to encourage CSSA recipients to secure and maintain employment. For all categories of recipients in cases which have been on CSSA for not less than 2 months, their earnings from employment can be disregarded up to a prescribed amount when assessing the amount of assistance payable to a CSSA recipient.

More Information (downloadable)

Links

• Labour Department
• Employees Retraining Board
• Construction Industry Council
• Other Support