Registration for the Cash Payout Scheme will end on December 31 this year.

The Government said the scheme announced in the 2020-21 Budget has been operating smoothly since registration commenced on June 21 last year.

As of November 23 this year, the scheme had disbursed $10,000 each to more than 6.5 million eligible registrants.

People who are Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card or certificate of exemption by March 31 this year who have not yet registered are reminded to submit registrations electronically or by paper form on or before the registration deadline to receive $10,000.

For electronic registrations submitted through banks, registrants will receive payment through their bank accounts about one week after registration.

For paper registration forms submitted through banks or Hongkong Post and electronic registration forms submitted through the Hongkong Post website, registrants will receive payment through their bank accounts or notifications for cheque collection from Hongkong Post by SMS or post about two weeks after registration.

Those who chose to receive a cheque will collect the order cheque in person from the post office during the period set out in the notification.

The cheques issued under the scheme will be valid for six months. If a registrant fails to collect the cheque within six months from its issue date, the cheque will become stale and a new cheque will be issued automatically and be available for collection at the same post office.

As of November 23, about 3,200 reissued cheques remained uncollected, of which around 900 cheques will expire within this year.

The Government reminded the public it should guard against scammers who try to obtain personal data or money by deceit using the Cash Payout Scheme as an excuse.

The public may visit the scheme's website or call 18 2020 for detailed information.