On 1 January 2018, the Social Security Fund (abbreviated to FSS in Macao) will turn the six-month “Employment Incentive Pilot Programme for Disability Pension Beneficiaries” (the Programme) into a constant measure by optimizing the statutes of the Programme, in particular, extending the trial work grace period and the reporting period so as to encourage beneficiaries of disability pension or temporary disability subsidy to integrate into the labour market and build their confidence.

Recently, the FSS briefed a number of social service agencies on the Employment Incentive Programme for Disability Pension Beneficiaries.  The Programme will come into effect on 1 January 2018 to provide a trial work grace period for beneficiaries of disability pension or temporary disability subsidy, and will set up a rapid return mechanism to continue granting the disability pension or temporary disability subsidy to beneficiaries who have not integrated formally into the labour market after the trial work and not yet exceeded the trial work period.  The related benefit will be terminated upon expiry of the trial work period when the beneficiary is considered to be integrated formally into the labour market.  The FSS believes that the Programme can help people with disabilities take the initiative to participate in the community, build their confidence and enhance quality of life.

In response to the policy direction of the “Ten-Year Plan for Rehabilitation Services of the Macao Special Administrative Region from 2016 to 2025”, the FSS piloted the Employment Incentive Programme for Disability Pension Beneficiaries on 1 July 2017, which has got the recognition of rehabilitation groups and people with disabilities.  After collecting and obtaining the opinions of various parties, based on the implementation of the pilot programme, the “Employment Incentive Programme for Disability Pension Beneficiaries”, implemented formally next year, will extend the trial work grace period of each time from the original 30 days to 90 days, and the reporting period from the original 5 days to 15 days.  The start month of the first-time trial work to the twelfth month is considered as one term, up to two times of trial work for each term, and each time of trial work is 90 days.  Each time of trial work must be declared independently.  Beneficiaries should declare, at the latest, the start of trial work within 15 days after the commencement of trial work and declare the latest employment status within 15 days after the termination of trial work or after the 90-day trial work period, and return the completed declaration form to the FSS.

For beneficiaries of disability pension or temporary disability subsidy who have integrated formally into the labour market, if they subsequently cease to work, they may apply to the Labour Affairs Bureau for employment registration and apply for unemployment allowance if they satisfy the requirements of unemployment benefit, or re-apply for disability pension due to loss of the ability to work.

For more information about the Programme, please call 2853 2850 during office hours for enquires.