**********************************
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said today (November 8) that Scheme $6,000, which commenced on August 28, has progressed smoothly, with over 4 million registration forms received by the end of the batching arrangement on November 5.
Registrants in the first batch (i.e. those born in 1946 or before) who have registered through banks and have been confirmed to have met the eligibility criteria have been receiving payment through their specified bank accounts since October 26. Those in other batches who have registered through banks during the batching period will receive payment by the first half of December. Some banks will inform eligible persons by SMS or email after payment is made. Registrants who have registered through Hongkong Post will receive written notification by post from mid-November onwards to collect their cheque at the post office selected.
A spokesman for the bureau said today (November 8) that eligible persons who have not registered for receiving the sum of $6,000 during the batching period, regardless of their year of birth, may still register through banks or Hongkong Post on or before March 31, 2012. The registration process of Scheme $6,000 is simple and convenient. People registering through banks or through Hongkong Post may submit the registration forms through drop boxes placed at any branch of the bank specified for receiving payment or post office, or mail it to Hong Kong General Post Office Box No. 186000. Those who are e-banking users of the 14 banks concerned may also submit their registration via e-banking, which is even more simple.
To ensure successful registration, registrants must sign the registration form. Those who register through banks have to provide a local Hong Kong dollar bank account in their sole name (a joint bank account cannot be used for receiving payment under the Scheme), and submit the form to the bank specified for receiving payment.
Eligible persons who opt to receive $6,000 plus a bonus of $200 may submit their registration during the period from April 1 to December 31, 2012.
For those persons who do not meet the eligibility criteria on the commencement date of Scheme $6,000 but will do so on March 31, 2012, their registration forms will be processed on or after April 1, 2012. The registration period will end on December 31, 2012.
For those persons who have received written notification informing them that they did not meet the eligibility criteria on the commencement date of the Scheme, the spokesman reminded that they should check if they are holding a valid smart Hong Kong permanent identity card. If not, they should apply for one as soon as possible before the eligibility date of the Scheme (i.e. March 31, 2012). For enquiries, please call the Scheme $6,000 hotline on 186 000.
Members of the public are reminded to safeguard their personal data and guard against scams for obtaining personal data or money by deceit in the guise of Scheme $6,000.
For more information about the Scheme, please visit www.scheme6000.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:10
NNNN
