HK$6,000 Handout Details Unveiled: Registration from 28 August in Five Age Groups, Elderly First

The long-awaited HK$6,000 handout is finally unveiled: registration opens 28 August in five age groups, elderly first, with the first payouts in early November. Those who register half a year late get an extra HK$200.

Registration at a glance

Who qualifies?

The line is drawn generously: aged 18+ with permanent residency on or before 31 March next year — about 6.1 million people. The government seeks HK$37.98 billion from LegCo on 8 July.

How to register and get paid

• 21 banks, 1,200 branches: drop-box, in-person or via 14 online banks; paid into your bank account, no in-person visit needed
• No account: register at post offices, collect cheques in person at designated Standard Chartered branches
• Immobile/mentally incapacitated: guardian or trustee registers for them (doctor’s certificate + relationship proof required)
• Prisoners: forms delivered to prisons; payment secured after release

The government expects 20% to take the HK$200 bonus. It says the bonus comes from public funds, so it shouldn’t be large — HK$200 is “appropriate” — believe it or not.