A government spokesman said today (August 3) that, according to the 2022 (Phase II) Consumption Voucher Scheme, about 6.36 million people whose eligibility has been verified will receive consumption vouchers by instalments from Sunday (August 7).
Among them, about 6.21 million people will receive vouchers worth $5,000 by instalments under Phase II, including (a) existing registrants who received vouchers under Phase I in April this year and meet the relevant eligibility criteria under Phase II, and (b) new eligible registrants who have come to live in Hong Kong through different admission schemes for talents, professionals and entrepreneurs, etc, and to study in Hong Kong. These people will receive a $2,000 voucher on August 7.
As for about 150 000 new eligible registrants who are Hong Kong permanent residents or new arrivals, they will receive vouchers worth $10,000 by instalments, the first $3,000 of which will be disbursed on August 7.
The voucher disbursement arrangement and the timetable for different stored value facilities (SVFs) are set out in Annexes I and II.
The Government has issued SMS messages to registrants whose eligibility checking has been completed based on the eligibility criteria announced on June 13 through the designated telephone number (6059 1120). The spokesman reminded them to read the SMS. People can also enquire about their eligibility checking result and entitled voucher value through the interactive voice response system of the hotline 18 5000.
Registrants who have been notified that they do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Scheme but disagree with the result may apply for review in writing within 14 days after receiving the SMS notification. Details can be found at the Scheme website (www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk/en/faqs.html#G1). As at August 1, the Secretariat has received about 158 000 applications for review (excluding duplicated applications), most of which are from people who have submitted valid claim requests for early withdrawal of their Mandatory Provident Fund or benefits under occupational retirement schemes on the grounds of "permanent departure from Hong Kong". Among them, about 104 000 cases have been successful. The relevant registrants have been confirmed to be eligible and notified by the relevant SMS. Vouchers will also be disbursed to them on August 7. As for the remaining review cases, they are still being processed by the Secretariat, including verifying the information provided by the applicants or awaiting further information from them. The Secretariat will endeavour to notify the applicants of the review results by SMS within six weeks upon receipt of their applications. Those who have their cases successfully reviewed will receive the first voucher on August 16 at the earliest.
During the registration period, the Secretariat has received a total of about 290 000 new registrations and 260 000 applications for changing SVF accounts (excluding duplicated registrations/applications).
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