Enhanced Labor Assistance Program Launched! One City Qualifies for 'Up to NT$35,800 per Person' – Application Details for Living Subsidy Revealed

Facing sudden unemployment crises, many families worry most about their children's education being interrupted. To ensure that children of involuntarily unemployed workers do not have their studies disrupted due to financial hardship, the New Taipei City Government Labor Bureau has introduced an enhanced education and living subsidy program specifically for vulnerable worker households.

Families with children enrolled in private universities or colleges in Taiwan who have already applied for and been approved for the Ministry of Labor’s 114-2 semester education subsidy for children of unemployed workers can now apply for additional support from the New Taipei City Labor Bureau, receiving up to NT$9,800 extra.

Chen Ruijia, Director of the New Taipei City Labor Bureau, explained that to prevent students from dropping out due to parental unemployment, the bureau prioritizes assisting workers who have involuntarily lost their jobs and are receiving unemployment benefits or vocational training allowances. Starting each March, these workers are guided to first apply for the central government’s education subsidy. After verification, approval notices are typically sent out by June. The city then provides additional living subsidies to alleviate financial pressure on unemployed families.

This local enhancement significantly increases the overall support. With combined central and municipal funding, eligible families with children in private higher education institutions can receive NT$26,000 from the Ministry of Labor plus an additional NT$9,800 from New Taipei City, totaling up to NT$35,800 per child—an essential financial relief during unemployment.

The application process is designed to be convenient. Applicants need only submit a completed application form and receipt, along with photocopies of the Ministry of Labor’s approval notice, full household register, detailed tuition receipt for the 114-2 semester, and a copy of their bank account front page. Applications can be submitted by mail or in person.

However, applicants must be aware of the central government’s exclusivity rule: the 'Subsidy Program for Children of Unemployed Workers' and the Ministry of Education’s 'Tuition Fee Reduction Program' cannot be claimed simultaneously. If a family has already used the Ministry of Education’s reduction at registration but wishes to switch to the higher-value unemployment subsidy, they must first repay the education subsidy to their school. Such applicants must additionally submit photocopies of the original tuition receipt and the repayment receipt to qualify for New Taipei City’s review.

Where can applicants obtain the forms, and what is the deadline?

This enhanced living subsidy program for New Taipei City residents is now open for applications and will accept submissions until August 7. Late applications will not be accepted. To make access easier, multiple channels are available.

Paper application guides and forms can be collected in person at the Joint Service Center on the 1st floor or the Labor Bureau office on the 7th floor of the New Taipei City Government Building. Forms are also available for free at district offices across the city and at nine public employment service stations under New Taipei City’s jurisdiction. Online applicants can visit the official 'New Taipei Labor Cloud' website, navigate to the download section, and print the required forms for submission.