43,000 needy and elderly in Hong Kong first to get cash handouts

The handouts were announced in an amendment to the budget last month to give up to HK$4,000 each to 2.8 million city residents

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An elderly person on the Old Age Allowance scheme who received an extra HK$2,690 from the government would then get HK$1,310. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 7:00am, 7 Apr 2018Updated: 11:25am, 7 Apr 2018

About 43,000 needy and elderly Hongkongers will be the first to receive cash handouts announced in an amendment to the budget last month to give up to HK$4,000 (US$510) each to 2.8 million Hongkongers.

They have been given priority as they are already receiving social or disability allowances and are likely most in need of the money.

This group had already been promised additional allowances in the original budget announcement on February 28 and the cash handout they are eligible for is the difference between HK$4,000 and the allowance amount. Some would get HK$50 while others could get up to HK$1,310.

On Friday, the government said this group would get their handouts and extra two months’ allowances a month after lawmakers pass the budget.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and other city officials felt pressure to do more for the needy. Photo: Sam Tsang

They are likely to start scrutinising the budget as early as the next few weeks. Last year, the budget was passed in May.

In unveiling the government’s spending blueprint, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po doled out a HK$50 billion package of goodies that largely benefited the middle class through salary and profits tax rebates.