Hong Kong government extends HK$10,000 handout scheme to new arrivals on low incomes
- Officials to use Community Care Fund to deliver one-off payment to less advantaged Hongkongers without permanent residency
- Those on low incomes and reuniting with families to benefit, although specific criteria not known
A HK$10,000 handout for permanent residents will be extended to some of the hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers who have recently moved to the city, the government revealed on Tuesday.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said new arrivals on low incomes would be entitled to the one-off payment through a trust fund designed to plug gaps in the flagship policy from last week’s budget.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced last Wednesday a HK$10,000 (US$1,285) handout for every adult permanent resident in Hong Kong at a cost of HK$71.1 billion.
The exclusion of immigrants without the status drew criticism from some quarters, leading Chan to consider dipping into the Community Care Fund for those missing out.
Speaking on a radio programme on Tuesday, Law confirmed the government would hand the same sum to newcomers on lower incomes and those coming to the city to reunite with their families, subject to criteria.
“[It will be] primarily for those who are living in Hong Kong, but unfortunately they might not have reached seven years to become permanent residents, rather than those in transit such as those who come to study or imported labour,” he said.
“The amount of money will be disbursed by the Community Care Fund, therefore it will have a rider on it and that is: it will be someone who has some financial needs, so it’s basically the grass roots people we are talking about.”
Selective eligibility tests would be carried out, but the government “hoped to be more lenient” because the payment would not be regular one, he added.