A government spokesman said today (November 25) that the Cash Payout Scheme announced in the 2020-21 Budget has been operating smoothly since registration commenced on June 21, 2020. As at November 23 this year, the Scheme had disbursed $10,000 each to more than 6.5 million eligible registrants.
 
     Registration for the Scheme will end on December 31 this year. Persons who meet the eligibility criteria (i.e. Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above holding a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption by March 31, 2021) but have not yet registered should submit registrations electronically or by paper form on or before the registration deadline to receive $10,000.
 
     Registrants who submitted electronic registration through banks and have their eligibility verified will normally receive payment through their specified personal bank accounts about one week after registration. Those who submitted paper registration forms through banks or Hongkong Post and submitted electronic registration forms through the Hongkong Post website will normally receive payment through their specified personal bank accounts or notifications for cheque collection from Hongkong Post by SMS or post about two weeks after registration. For persons who chose to receive a cheque, they should collect the order cheque in person from the post office they specified during the period set out in the notification.
 
     The spokesman said that the cheques issued under the Scheme will be valid for six months. If a registrant fails to collect the cheque within six months from its issue date, the cheque will become stale and a new cheque (re-issued cheque) will be issued automatically and be available for collection at the same post office. If the registrant still fails to collect the re-issued cheque within six months from its issue date, or despite having collected it, fails to encash it or deposit it with a bank before it becomes stale, he/she will be deemed to have forfeited the payment. As at November 23, about 3 200 re-issued cheques remained uncollected, of which around 900 cheques will expire within this year. The registrants concerned should collect the cheques at the post offices specified by them as soon as possible.
 
     In addition, the spokesman reminded members of the public to handle their personal data carefully to guard against scams for obtaining their personal data or money by deceit in the guise of the Cash Payout Scheme.
 
     The public may visit the website of the Scheme (www.cashpayout.gov.hk) or call 18 2020 for detailed information on the Scheme.

Ends/Thursday, November 25, 2021
Issued at HKT 11:00

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