In 2009-10, the total actual expenditure of SWD was $39.5 billion. Of the $39.5 billion, $28.0 billion (71%) was for financial assistance payments ^{Note 2}, $8.3 billion (21%) was for recurrent subventions to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), $0.7 billion (2%) was for hire of services, and the remaining balance of $2.5 billion (6%) was for departmental expenditure.

In 2010-11, the total actual expenditure of SWD was $39.4 billion. Of the $39.4 billion, $27.6 billion (70%) was for financial assistance payments ^{Note 2}, $8.6 billion (22%) was for recurrent subventions to NGOs, $0.8 billion (2%) was for hire of services, and the remaining balance of $2.4 billion (6%) was for departmental expenditure.

Analysed by programme as shown in Chart 2 below, elderly services took up the largest share amongst the various welfare services, excluding social security, in both 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Established with income from the Mark Six Lottery, investment income and auctions of vehicle registration numbers to finance the development of social welfare services, the Lotteries Fund (LF) is a major source of capital funding for NGOs. In 2009-10 and 2010-11, payments from the LF were $0.7 billion and $0.9 billion respectively.