HK Electric will begin distributing dining coupon sets worth $500 each to needy families from tomorrow for use at SME eateries. This is a continuation of the Company's "2+3 relief measures" launched earlier to help small and medium-sized caterers and underprivileged families during the current economic downturn.
Residential customers or households living in sub-divided units within HK Electric's supply territory are eligible to join if they qualify for any programme listed on table 1. After making appointments with designated NGO centres (full list at table 2), these households will be invited to collect a set of 20 coupons, each worth $25, with which they could settle food and beverage payments at more than 220 eateries participating in the Care and Share – SME Caterers Subsidy Scheme. Full list of caterers is available on www.hkelectric.com/coupon-en.
Considering the need for NGO centres to implement social distancing measures to control the flow of people under the current pandemic, eligible families are required to book in advance with any of the 23 designated centres. On confirmation of the appointment, they must present identity documents for registration, together with an original copy of their electricity bill for any month in 2020, or in the case of those living in sub-divided units, a rental payment receipt within the last three months. While each family is entitled to one set of coupons, a total of 40,000 sets will be made available for distribution on a first-come-first-served basis.
Managing Director of HK Electric, Mr. Wan Chi-tin, pointed out that electricity consumption is generally higher for SME caterers resulting in higher electricity expenses than that of other SME sectors. They are also one of the hardest hit trades during the recent pandemic and social unrest.
"We hope that the scheme will help these SME caterers and, at the same time, support the underprivileged families in this challenging time."
So far, more than 220 SME caterers on Hong Kong and Lamma Islands have responded to HK Electric's appeal to join the scheme. Each dining coupon has a unique QR code, and upon presentation, caterers can scan them with a dedicated mobile app to ensure no duplication. HK Electric will disburse the subsidy amount to the caterers concerned as soon as possible according to the number of coupons recorded by the app.
Participating caterers must have valid business and food business registrations, and employ fewer than 50 people. Those taking part include restaurants, cafes, congee/noodle shops, barbecued meat outlets, fast food shops and cake shops. All have displayed the scheme's sticker on their premises for identification.
Mr. Wan said that since the launch of the "2+3 Relief Measures" late last year, HK Electric has waived tariff increase for six months in early 2020 to about 70,000 low-consumption non-residential customers. At the same time, energy-efficient equipment subsidy has been provided to non-residential customers and a two-month deferral of electricity expenses offered to eligible non-residential customers.
In addition, HK Electric has provided a subsidy to more than 50 NGO-run community centres for activities organised for underprivileged families and those in need. Payment up to $60,000 for each community centre will be reimbursed based on their actual food and beverage expenses.
Mr. Wan added that this NGO subsidy scheme, together with SME scheme to be introduced, will involve a total subsidy of HK$23 million. The two schemes are expected to generate extra business for SME caterers while benefitting the disadvantaged community.
Table 1: Eligibility for receiving $500 dining coupons:
• HK Electric's residential customers or SDU households within HK Electric's supply territory and are beneficiaries of one of the following schemes:
- HK Electric's Concessionary Tariff Scheme
- HK Electric's Smart Power Care Fund
- Social Welfare Department - Senior Citizen Card
- Social Welfare Department - Community Care Fund
- Social Welfare Department - Comprehensive Social Security Assistance
- Social Welfare Department - Old Age Living Allowance
- Working Family Allowance Office - Working Family Allowance
- The Student Finance Office - School Textbook Assistance
OR
- Facing financial difficulties as recommended by the designated NGO or District Councillor
Table 2: Community Centres Participating in "Care and Share" SME Caterers Subsidy Scheme
Designated NGO Centres | Address | Phone Number |
---|
Eastern District | | |
Caritas Mutual Aid Centre for Single Parent Families | 28A Fortress Hill Road, North Point, Hong Kong | 2887 0567 |
SAGE Eastern District Elderly Community Centre (Target Group: Elderly people aged 60 or above) | G/F, Phase 2, Provident Centre, 53 Wharf Road, North Point, Hong Kong | 2563 0187 |
Hong Kong Family Welfare Society North Point Integrated Family Service Centre | Upper G/F, Healthy Village Phase II, 668 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong | 2832 9700 |
St. James' Settlement – Employment Support Services | Room 1901, Technology Plaza, 651 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong | 3102 3340 |
HKYWCA Ming Yue District Elderly Community Centre | G/F, Hong Shui House, Hong Tung Estate, 56 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong | 2676 7067 |
Caritas Women Development Project | Room 7-8, 1/F, Lee Ga Building, 131 Sai Wan Ho Street, Shaukeiwan, Hong Kong | 2567 7544 |
Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare Yiu Tung Base | G/F B Wing & C Wing and 1/F B Wing, Yiu Wah House, Yiu Tung Estate, Shaukeiwan, Hong Kong | 2885 9844 |
Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare Epworth Base | 4/F, 100 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong | 2558 0708 |
SAGE Chai Wan District Elderly Community Centre (Target Group: Elderly people aged 60 or above) | Units 11-18, G/F, Yue Fung House, Yue Wan Estate, Chai Wan, Hong Kong | 2558 0187 |
Wanchai District | | |
St. James' Settlement - Community Centre Service | 7/F, 85 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai, Hong Kong | 2835 4368 |
St. James' Settlement - Wanchai District Elderly Community Centre | 1/F, 85 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai, Hong Kong | 2835 4324 |
The Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council KID First Specialised Co-Parenting Support Centre (Hong Kong) | Flats A-E, 7/F, Eastern Commercial Centre, Nos. 395-399 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong | 2170 1788 |
St. James' Settlement – Wun Sha Elderly Centre | 2A Wun Sha Court, 1-5 Wun Sha Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong | 2915 0093 |
Central & Western District | | |
Caritas Community Centre – Caine Road | 2/F, Caritas House, 2 Caine Road, Hong Kong | 2843 4652 |
Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre | G/F, 27 Pokfield Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong | 9658 7642 |
St. James' Settlement - Central & Western District Elderly Community Centre | 11/F, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong | 2805 1250 |
The Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council Grace and Joy Integrated Family Service Centre | G/F, La Maison Du Nord,12 North Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong | 2810 1105 |
Caritas Jockey Club Integrated Service for Young People – Shek Tong Tsui (Target Group: Families with children and youth aged 6 To 24) | UG/F, Yuk Ming Towers, 200-208 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong | 2546 1053 |
Southern District | | |
Aberdeen Kai-Fong Welfare Association Social Service Community Centre | 4/F, 180B Aberdeen Main Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | 3550 5540 |
Aberdeen Kai-Fong Welfare Association Social Service Jockey Club Integrated Service Centre | No.1, Podium Floor, Pik Ngan House, Shek Pai Wan Estate, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | 2550 5827 |
Caritas Community Centre – Aberdeen | 2/F, 20 Tin Wan Street, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | 6705 3509 |
Caritas Jockey Club Integrated Service for Young People – Stanley (Target Group: Families with children and youth aged 6 To 24) | Level 5, Stanley Plaza, Carmel Road, Stanley, Hong Kong | 2813 6644 |
Lamma Island | | |
OIWA Lamma Division | Rear Portion, No.72, G/F., Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong | 2982 0976 |