The Government will begin on 4 July to send out cheques to Macao residents under the city’s Wealth Partaking Scheme 2016, according to a by-law published today in the Macao SAR Gazette.

Under the scheme, those qualified receive either 9,000 patacas if they are a permanent resident, or 5,400 patacas if they are a non-permanent resident.

Beneficiaries such as senior citizens, teaching staff, current and retired civil servants, college students receiving student aid, and those who receive other forms of subsidy from the Government, will have the cash handout deposited in their respective bank accounts. Other recipients will receive their payments in the mail on various dates over the next 10 weeks and up until 16 September.

Holders of a Macao Special Administrative Region Resident Identity Card that is valid up to 31 December 2015 – or is valid up to that date and is renewable subsequently – are entitled to receive the cash payment.

Macao ID holders currently living abroad are also entitled to the cash handout – provided they have relevant documentary proof of identity.

The Government has operated the Wealth Partaking Scheme for nine consecutive years, with the aim of sharing the fruits of Macao’s economic development with the people of Macao.