'Simple Proof' Needed For E-voucher Eligibility

Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said some 240,000 failed applicants to the electronic voucher scheme need only provide "simple proof" to become eligible for the second instalment of the handout.

Writing on his blog, Chan said as of Saturday, authorities have received a total of 30,000 review applications either by post, email, fax, or through visiting the voucher scheme secretariat in Mong Kok.

It came after 240,000 people were told that they were ineligible for the voucher as they had withdrawn their MPF savings on grounds that they were permanently leaving Hong Kong.

Chan said he believes a “considerable number” of these people have left the SAR, but they can submit a review application within 14 days of being notified by the government of the rejection with "simple proof" showing they are here to stay.

These can be bank statements, tax records, rent receipts, or medical records, he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that authorities should check taxation records before determining voucher eligibility, saying there is legislation in place barring the Inland Revenue Department from sharing tax information.

Chan said authorities will adopt a more lenient approach in handling the appeals, and that they will continue to pay attention to different opinions on the voucher scheme.