29 April 2020 – The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) announce the launching of “Anti-Pandemic Charity Fund for the Unemployed” and “Support Scheme for Self-Employed Youths” with funding of HKD 8 million and HKD 3 million respectively. The schemes are sponsored by Kerry Group and Fu Tak lam Foundation which aim at providing cash allowance to unemployed or underemployed breadwinners, self-employed youths and young freelancers whose livelihoods are severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each eligible household or individual will receive a one-off subsidy ranging from HKD 8,000 to HKD 12,000. Application for both schemes will start from 11 May 2020. Payment of the subsidy is expected to begin on 14 May, 2020 at the earliest.
(1) HKD 8 million “Anti-Pandemic Charity Fund for the Unemployed”
This fund is particularly designed for breadwinners who are unemployed or seriously underemployed in different districts in Hong Kong. Each eligible two-to-four-person household will receive a subsidy of HKD 8,000; while five-person-or-more household will receive HKD 12,000. It is expected that around 1,000 families will be benefited. Eligibility is as follows:
- Hong Kong resident
- Non-CSSA household recipient
- The family has only one income earner
- Preference will be given to families who has dependent child(ren) aged 22 or below OR of any age if disabled
- Monthly household income before the epidemic (Dec of 2019) was lower than 75% of HK’s median monthly domestic household income
- Being unemployed or underemployed, some quota will be allocated to applicants whose household income was less than HKD 3,000 in April 2020; while the remaining quota will be given to applicants whose household income was lower than 50% of the monthly household income upper limits of Working Family Allowances (Full-rate)
- Didn’t receive any financial assistance from other funding schemes in the past three months
(2) HKD 3 million “Support Scheme for Self-Employed Youths”
The recipients of this scheme are self-employed youths or freelancers aged 35 or below (preference will be given to those who are 18-35), and mainly for applicants living in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Sham Shui Po Districts. The scheme will provide a cash allowance of HKD 8,000 to each eligible applicant. It is expected that 375 persons at most will be benefited. Beneficiaries shall contribute at least 40 hours of volunteer services in NGOs within 3 to 9 months. Preference will be given to those who work in education, culture, arts, social service, art and music therapy, video production, information technology, design and sports sectors. Eligibility is as follows:
- Hong Kong permanent resident aged 35 or below
- Non-CSSA recipient
- Monthly income (Dec 2019) before the epidemic was less than HKD 20,000
- Being unemployed or underemployed, and earning less than HKD 3,000 in April 2020
- Didn’t receive any financial assistance from other funding schemes in the past three months
Chua Hoi-Wai, Chief Executive, HKCSS, said: “Unemployed breadwinners, self-employed youths or freelancers are all affected by the pandemic. They are living hand-to-mouth but often being overlooked in the city. This time, with the donation from Kerry Group and Fu Tak Iam Foundation, the financial burden of the recipients will be relieved to weather the storm.”
HKCSS will manage and supervise the entire funding schemes. Application will be opened through designated NGOs service units. Application details will be announced later.
Enquiry: 2864 2945
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“Anti-Pandemic Charity Fund for the Unemployed”
Website: https://bit.ly/2YdK8j4
“Support Scheme for Self-Employed Youths”
Website: https://qrgo.page.link/m21s8
For media enquiries, please contact:
Eddie Tsang
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
+852 2864 2982