Dear H. Y. Fung,
Code on Access to Information
Application No. 30/2022
I refer to your email dated 12 May 2022, enquiring the following
information-
(a) The policy of the Department / International Social Service ("ISS") on
the provision of housing allowance to non-refoulement claimants ("NRCs")
who are detained in immigration detention facilities; and
(b) The number of NRCs who have had their housing allowance and/or
assistance terminated or withheld by the Department / ISS due to being
detained, for each year between 2017 and 2022 (either financial or
calendar years, as applicable).
Our reply is as follow -
Item (a) above
Since 2006, the Government has been providing humanitarian assistance to
NRCs who are deprived of basic needs during their presence in Hong Kong so
that they will not become destitute.  The service contractor(s) assess and
review monthly the individual circumstances of NRCs to determine their
eligibility for the assistance according to the standard assistance
level.  The service contractor(s) will suspend / terminate the assistance,
including accommodation assistance, when the NRC is found being detained
in detention facilities or prisons; as his/her basic needs would have been
met by other sources.  When discharged, the NRC can approach the service
contractor, currently the ISS Hong Kong Branch, or Social Welfare
Department to re-apply for the assistance in case of need.
Item (b) above
The Department and ISS Hong Kong Branch do not have the information on the
number of NRCs who have had their housing allowance and / or assistance
terminated or withheld by the ISS Hong Kong Branch due to being detained.
Regards,
Ms Ellen SHUM
for Director of Social Welfare
-----"H. Y. Fung" <[FOI #1090 email]> 撰寫:-----
收件人: FOI requests at Social Welfare Department <[Social Welfare Department request email]>
寄件人: "H. Y. Fung" <[FOI #1090 email]>
日期: 05/12/2022 12:00下午
主旨: Freedom of Information request - Humanitarian assistance for
detained USM claimants

Dear Social Welfare Department,

I am writing to make an information request regarding USM claimants who
are placed in detention. May I know,

(1) The SWD/ ISS’s policy on the provision of housing allowance and
assistance to non-refoulement claimants who are detained in immigration
detention facilities,

(2) The number of non-refoulement claimants who have had their housing
allowance and/or assistance terminated or withheld by the SWD/ISS due to
being detained, for each year between 2017 – 2022 (either financial or
calendar years, as applicable).

Thank you very much for your time and assistance in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

H. Y. Fung

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