Expenditure of 2007/08, 2009/10 to 2014-15, 2016/17 and 2017/18 included the payment of one additional month of CSSA standard rates to CSSA recipients and one additional month of allowance to SSA recipients. As for 2008/09, the expenditure included the payment of two additional months of CSSA standard rates to CSSA recipients, two additional months of allowance to DA recipients, and a one-off grant of $3,000 and two additional months of allowance to OAA recipients. The expenditure of 2015/16 included the payment of two additional months of CSSA standard rates to CSSA recipients and two additional months of allowance to SSA recipients. The expenditure of 2018/19 included (1) the payment of two additional months of CSSA standard rates to CSSA recipients and two additional months of allowance to SSA recipients, and the top-up payment to make up to $4,000 under the Caring and Sharing Scheme; and (2) a one-off grant of $2,000 to each needy student.

The figures include payments of Public Assistance/Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Special Needs Allowance/Social Security Allowance and Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation. From 1986/87 onwards, the figures also include payments for Emergency Relief.