The Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office and the Home Affairs Department announced today (March 18) details of the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme (TUR) launched under the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF). Applications for the scheme will commence at 8am next Wednesday (March 23) and end on April 12 (11.59pm) to provide assistance to people who have lost their jobs due to the fifth wave of the epidemic.
A Government spokesman said, "Full-time and part-time employees as well as self-employed persons may apply for the TUR. A one-off subsidy of $10,000 each will be granted to eligible persons to reduce their financial stress before they find another job."
　　
An applicant for the TUR is required to fulfil relevant criteria as follows:
1. holds a valid Hong Kong identity card;
2. attained the age of 18 on or before October 1, 2021;
3. has been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong throughout the period from October 1, 2021, to the date of submitting an application;
4. has worked in Hong Kong for at least one month during the three-month period from October 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, with total monthly employment income generally between $2,700 and $30,000;
5. has the following employment status:
- was continuously unemployed for at least 30 days immediately preceding and including the date of submitting an application; or
- currently employed in the following premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) but has been requested not to work temporarily by his/her employer and it has been at least 30 days since the last day of work at the time of application (inclusive of date of application):
(i) scheduled premises that have suspended operation for the time being due to the fifth wave of the epidemic (i.e. amusement game centres, bathhouses, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, party rooms, beauty parlours, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, massage establishments, sports premises or swimming pools); or
(ii) catering premises including bars, pubs or restaurants whose operations have either been suspended or restricted; and
6. has not been a recipient of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme at the time of application or benefited under specified relief measures of the sixth round of the AEF.
Eligible applicants should submit their applications online through the TUR website (www.tur.gov.hk) starting from 8am on March 23. If applicants need assistance in person, they may schedule an appointment through the hotline (183 6128) starting from today and visit the designated service centres.
　　
Details of the scheme and the application method have been uploaded to the TUR website. Enquiries can be made by email to enquiry@tur.gov.hk or through the hotline at 183 6128.
Addresses of the service centres are as follows (appointments must be made through the hotline first):
- Room 1501, 15/F, AT Tower, 180 Electric Road, North Point
- Rooms 1805-06, 18/F, Wu Sang House, 655 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
- Room 1606, 16/F, Futura Plaza, 111 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong
- Wan Tau Tong Neighbourhood Community Centre, Wan Tau Tong Estate, Tai Po
- 1/F, Yuen Long District Sports Association Jockey Club Complex, 8 Yuen Long Tai Yuk Road, Yuen Long
Service hours of the service centres:
During application period (March 23 to April 12):
9am to 6pm from March 23 to April 8
9am to 8pm from April 9 to April 11
9am to 10pm on April 12
The spokesman reminded that applicants must provide true, complete and accurate information in the application form. If an applicant makes any false statement or misrepresentation, withholds any information, or furnishes any false or misleading documents or information for the purpose of obtaining subsidies under the scheme, the applicant may be liable to prosecution.
Information on the TUR can be found in the attachment and the demonstration video for filling in the online application form (www.youtube.com/watch?v=eemL0bV-mVo).
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