The dark side of the $6,000 handout: can the late Mr Chan still register?

Mr Chan and his wife, both over 60, are poor; their children cannot support them. After Lunar New Year, Mr Chan lay bedridden, sensing his time was short. On 23 February the Financial Secretary’s budget promised $6,000 injected into MPF accounts — Mr Chan was relieved he had never closed his account since losing his job, though his housewife wife would miss out.

How did the handout twist and turn?

On 2 March, Mr Chan heard the news: every Hong Kong permanent resident aged 18+ would get $6,000 — housewives and retirees included. Delighted, he reckoned his wife’s $6,000 would cover living costs while his would pay for medical care or his funeral. Days later he died; his wife borrowed to arrange the funeral, then lived on CSSA awaiting the $6,000 to repay the debt.

Where did it go wrong?

On 16 June the government announced the details: eligible persons must be 18+ with valid HK permanent ID by 31 March next year; the first batch — those born in 1946 or earlier — registers from 28 August, with cash from around November. Mr Chan was born before 1946 — but dead. How was he to register in August?

What should the government do?

Mr Chan worked in Hong Kong for 40 years and was eligible when the handout was announced in March, with every reasonable expectation of the $6,000; yet the government’s ill-thought delay of over three months harmed innocent citizens. It must clarify urgently: do those who died between 2 March and the registration deadline still qualify? If yes, how will payment be arranged? If no, will there be discretionary handling — citizens should not lose out to government delay, especially when they are a tiny fraction of 6.1 million recipients and a $38 billion bill.

For MPF account basics, visit the MPF education hub.