***********************************************************
The Social Security Appeal Board received 295 appeals against decisions relating to social security benefits in 2005-06, representing a 1% increase as compared with 293 appeals in the preceding year.
The 295 appeals comprised 82 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases, 211 Social Security Allowance (SSA) cases and two Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) cases.
"As compared with the previous year, there was a decrease of 32 appeals (28%) in CSSA cases, an increase of 34 appeals (19%) in SSA cases and remained the same of two appeals in TAVA cases," a Social Welfare Department (SWD) spokesman said today (March 8).
During the year, the board heard 172 cases. Of these, the board upheld the department's decisions in 135 cases (78%) and varied its decisions in 37 cases (22%). All the 37 cases appealed against medical decisions.
"Anyone who is aggrieved by the decision of the Social Welfare Department in respect of eligibility and payment of social security benefits can appeal in writing to the appeal board, which is an independent body, comprising non-officials appointed by the Chief Executive," the spokesman said.
An appeal can be lodged at the office of the appeal board, the department's headquarters or any of its 37 social security field units, or the TAVA Section.
Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:01
NNNN
