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The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said the overall implementation of Scheme $6,000 has been smooth since its launch. Stage 2 of the Scheme will commence on April 1. Persons who met the eligibility criteria on August 28, 2011 may register on or after April 1 to receive payment of $6,000 plus a bonus of $200. During the first two weeks of Stage 2, priority will be given to processing registrations made by elderly registrants who were born in 1946 or before.
A spokesman for the Bureau said today (February 28), "The overall implementation of Stage 1 has been smooth. As at February 15 this year, over 4.47 million people have successfully registered under the Scheme with a total of about $26.8 billion disbursed."
Persons who meet the eligibility criteria (i.e. held a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and aged 18 or above) on the Scheme's commencement date (August 28, 2011) may register on or before March 31, 2012 (Stage 1) to receive payment of $6,000, or from April 1 to December 31, 2012 (Stage 2) to receive payment of $6,000 plus a bonus of $200.
Persons who did not meet the eligibility criteria on August 28, 2011 but will do so on the eligibility date (March 31, 2012) may also register on or before December 31, 2012 to receive payment of $6,000.
The number of eligible persons for Scheme $6,000 is estimated to be around 6.19 million. It is estimated that the number of potential registrants in Stage 2 will be about 1.69 million.
The spokesman said, "Based on the experience so far, it is estimated that about 22 per cent of these eligible persons who have not yet registered may register through e-banking. The remaining 1.32 million potential registrants (including about 110,000 persons born in 1946 or before) may submit registration forms via drop-boxes at bank branches and post offices.
"Having regard to the latest registration statistics and the operational experience gained since implementation, there is no need for a similar batching arrangement in Stage 2. However, to facilitate the registration of those who were born in 1946 or before, we would accord priority to processing registrations made by these elderly registrants during the first two weeks of Stage 2."
As with the arrangement during Stage 1, registrants who register through banks and meet the eligibility criteria will normally receive payment within around 10 weeks after registration. Those who register through Hongkong Post and have met the eligibility criteria will normally be notified by post to collect their cheque within around 12 weeks after registration.
The registration platforms will remain the same in Stage 2. 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.
The spokesman said that to ensure that registration will be conducted in an orderly and effective manner, the Government will arrange publicity to inform the public of the registration arrangements for Stage 2. He reminds members of the public 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 Scheme $6,000, please visit www.scheme6000.gov.hk. Enquiries can be made on 186000.
Ends/Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:30
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