Seniors Aged 65+ Can Now Claim Money! Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card Upgraded with 5 New Benefits, Including 7,200 Points Paid Until Death — Eligible Residents in One City Get Automatic Deposits via Card

Kaohsiung's senior citizens are receiving a major social welfare upgrade! Mayor Chen Chi-mai recently announced on Facebook that starting July 2026 (Minguo Year 115), the Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card benefits will be significantly enhanced. The previous annual allocation of 1,200 points will be dramatically increased to 600 points per month—up to 7,200 points annually—marking a sixfold increase in value. Additionally, new practical features have been introduced, including outpatient registration fee discounts at medical institutions, and a special offer of "three major transportation modes with free card swipes," greatly improving seniors' access to healthcare and daily mobility.

Attention seniors! The Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card will be upgraded in July, increasing to 600 points per month—up to 7,200 points annually.

This reform not only multiplies the point allowance but also expands the scope of social welfare point redemption to cover medical care, leisure, and various public transportation options.

1. Outpatient Registration Fee Discount

Starting July, seniors can use their Senior Citizen Card to offset outpatient registration fees at municipal hospitals, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Qishan Hospital, and 38 district health centers.

· Available from July 1: Minsheng, Traditional Chinese Medicine, United, Kai-Syuan, Qishan Hospitals, and 38 district health centers.

· Available from July 27: Datong, Siaogang, Cijin, Gangshan, and Fengshan municipal hospitals.

2. Taxi Subsidy Increased to 85 Points

The per-ride discount for contracted taxis increases from 50 to 85 points, significantly reducing transportation costs.

3. Leisure and Sports Deduction of 50 Points

Seniors can redeem up to 50 points when visiting Kaohsiung’s sports centers, cultural venues, or designated senior fitness clubs.

4. Three Public Transportation Modes Are Fully Free

Mayor Chen emphasized that three public transportation options will be completely free when using the Senior Citizen Card:

· Free Rides on Three Modes: Kaohsiung Light Rail, Bus-style Taxis (Gongche-style Xiaohuang), and Happiness Buses—all are point-free (i.e., free of charge) when swiped with the Senior Citizen Card.

· Other Transport at Half-Price (Point Deduction):

· City Buses and Highway Buses: Deduct 8 points minimum, up to 16 points per ride.

· Kaohsiung MRT, City Ferry, and Taiwan Railways: Half-price point deduction. For Taiwan Railways, if either the departure or arrival station is within Kaohsiung City, up to 50 points can be deducted per ride.

Social Welfare Points Can Be Used to Purchase Monthly Passes: MeNGo Monthly Pass Plans and 30-Minute Free YouBike Rides

Additionally, the monthly 600 social welfare points can be used to purchase MeNGo monthly pass plans.

Seniors must bring their Senior Citizen Card and ID to any district office or the Social Welfare Division of the Social Affairs Bureau to apply in person.

Monthly Pass Point Deduction Plans:

· Deduct 199 points: Purchase the "Kaohsiung Bus Unlimited Monthly Pass," allowing unlimited rides on Kaohsiung city buses (excluding highway buses and medical buses).

· Deduct 399 points: Purchase the "Kaohsiung Urban Commuter Monthly Pass," allowing unlimited rides on the city’s MRT, Light Rail, buses, coaches, ferries, and Taiwan Railways.

Regardless of which MeNGo monthly pass plan is selected, cardholders automatically receive unlimited 30-minute free rides on YouBike 2.0 (E) per trip.

2026 Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card Eligibility?

1. Kaohsiung residents aged 65 or older, and indigenous people aged 55 or older, can apply for the Senior Citizen Card at any district office or the Social Affairs Bureau’s Senior Welfare Division starting the first working day of their birthday month.

2026 Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card Benefits?

In addition to free rides on the Light Rail, Bus-style Taxis, and Happiness Buses, cardholders receive 600 monthly social welfare points.

The 600 monthly social welfare points are issued and must be used within the same month. Unused points will not be carried over.

New cards issued on or after July 1, 2026, will automatically receive 600 social welfare points.

2026 Kaohsiung Senior Citizen Card Application and Full Benefits Overview

Q: If a cardholder passes away and there is a remaining balance on the card, can a refund be requested?

A: Yes. Applicants can obtain financial inheritance documents from the Social Affairs Bureau or district offices, or download them from the iPASS official website. After completing the form and preparing the required documents, mail them to iPASS Corporation (1 Zhong’an Road, 4F, Cianjhen District, Kaohsiung City 806604) (in-person submission is not allowed). iPASS will process the refund within 10 days of receipt.

Q: What are the eligible uses for social welfare points starting July 2026?

A:

1. Outpatient registration fee offset, up to 50 points per visit.

2. Use at city sports centers, cultural venues, and senior fitness clubs, up to 50 points per visit.

3. Taxi fare subsidy increased to 85 points per ride.

4. Taiwan Railways: If either the departure or arrival station is in Kaohsiung City, up to 50 points can be deducted per ride.

5. Kaohsiung MRT: Half-price point deduction.

6. City buses and ferries: Half-price point deduction based on actual fare (minimum 8 points, maximum 16 points per ride for city and highway buses).

7. MeNGo Monthly Pass Plans (including 199-point Kaohsiung Bus Unlimited Pass and 399-point Kaohsiung Urban Commuter Pass).

Q: I already had a card before July 1, 2026. How do I get the 600 points? Do I need to tap the card?

A: Starting at 6:00 AM on July 1, 2026, simply use your Senior Citizen Card on Kaohsiung city buses, ferries, MRT, or Light Rail, or make a transaction at sports centers, cultural venues, or medical institutions that accept social welfare points, and you will receive the 600 points for that month. Please note the following:

1. You may also visit the Social Affairs Bureau, district offices, or MRT station service counters to complete the 600-point setup.

2. All Senior Citizen Cards issued after July 1, 2026, will already have the 600-point setting enabled and can be used immediately.

Q: How do I receive the 600 monthly social welfare points?

A: Cardholders who have already received the 600-point allocation can obtain the current month’s 600 points by using their card on Kaohsiung city buses, ferries, MRT, Light Rail, Taiwan Railways, or taxis, or by making transactions at sports centers, cultural venues, or medical institutions. If you received the new 600-point allocation on July 1, you can immediately use it on taxis or Taiwan Railways.

Q: If I don’t use all 600 points in a month, can they be carried over to the next month?

A: No. The monthly social welfare points are capped at 600 and are valid only for that month. Unused points will automatically expire at the end of the month and cannot be carried over.

Source: Kaohsiung City Social Affairs Bureau