SWD investigates suspected reselling of short-term food assistance

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (December 13) that, following a recent round of cyber patrols on various online trading platforms, the department has found that some service users are suspected of reselling hot meal coupons provided by the Short-term Food Assistance Service Teams (STFASTs). The relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) responsible for operating the STFASTs have reported the cases to the Police.
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     Eight STFASTs in Hong Kong provide basic short-term food assistance to help individuals and families facing immediate financial hardship cope with their daily food expenditures. The SWD emphasised that short-term food assistance is not transferable and cannot be resold or exchanged for money or other items. Should any irregularity or deception be found, the SWD will show no tolerance or leniency. Apart from immediately terminating the food assistance for the service users, the case will be referred to law enforcement authorities for investigation.

     The SWD has requested all operating NGOs to seriously remind their users about the service terms. The NGOs will continue to vigilantly check the usage of food coupons to ensure the proper use of public money.