To help enterprises and housing provident fund payers weather the difficult time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhongshan rolls out an interim policy on deferring housing provident fund (HPF) payments during the pandemic.

COVID-affected enterprises can apply for deferred payment of HPFs from June to December, 2022 and make a supplementary payment within a certain time limit. For enterprises eligible for deferred payment, they will keep a continual payment status during the deferred period, and the regular HP withdrawal and applications of HPF loans will not be affected.

Affected HPF payers who cannot repay housing provident fund loans before December 31, 2022 will not be subject to late charges or interest penalties, and no overdue payment records will be submitted to the credit departments.

The HPF eligible withdrawal amount of employees for renting houses will be increased from June to December, 2022. Individuals can withdraw funds as needed to meet the reasonable rent levels and areas in Zhongshan. For employees and their families with no property in Zhongshan, they can apply to regularly withdraw all the original monthly rent contribution funds if the monthly contribution amount is lower than 600 yuan; and they can apply to withdraw 50% of the rent contribution fund if the monthly contribution amount is higher than 600 yuan, with the minimum withdrawal amount no less than 600 yuan.