2009 Wealth Partaking Scheme

The distribution under 2009 Wealth Partaking Scheme of Macao Special Administrative Region was launched in the middle of May this year and it proceeded smoothly after 10 weeks of implementation. Holders of valid or renewable Macao SAR identity cards as at 31st December 2008 are beneficiaries of the Wealth Partaking Scheme, i.e., every Macao SAR permanent and non-permanent resident can be granted 6,000 patacas and 3,600 patacas respectively. During the months of May and June, the SAR government paid the cash premium by bank transfer to 82,063 people, among which 18,592 are beneficiaries of financial assistance from the Social Welfare Bureau, teaching staffs receiving direct subsidy as well as students in tertiary education receiving student aid from the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (Student Benefits Fund), 39,009 persons receiving subsidy for senior citizens, 24,462 civil servants, retired civil servants receiving retirement pension and other persons receiving survivor pension. The remaining others received their crossed cheques by post during ten weeks from 18th May to 24th July, according to the age group. Ever since the implementation of the Scheme for 2009 until 20th July, the SAR government posted 464,742 cheques. Among which, a total of 8,106 cheques were recalled after delivery due to various reasons. Until now, 4,701 cheques remained undelivered and are kept in the Identification Affairs Bureau of which 3,874 of them have been claimed. Citizens can claim their cheques from the Bureau within the three-year cash period. 297,342 number of cheques were cashed, representing 64% of the total. To assist the implementation of this Scheme, a Support Centre for Wealth Partaking Disbursement was set up. Since its establishment in May, a total of 29,342 enquiries were entertained, of which 15,113 were handled by telephone, while personal visits accounted for 13,788 and 441 people used email. Notwithstanding the disbursement of 2009 Wealth Partaking Scheme came to an end, the Support Centre will remain in service until 30th August 2009. Any assistance and enquiries related to the Scheme can be put through by calling the hotline no. 2822 5000. The opening hours of the Centre are 7 days a week (except public holiday), 09:00 am to 18:00 pm (no lunch break). The success of the cash disbursement relied on the support, help and coordination of different sectors. In view of this, the SAR government expressed sincere gratitude to various associations, banks and different sectors of the community for their efforts made.