Seniors, Come Collect Your Money! Elderly Card Benefits Upgraded: 'Receive 1,000 Points Monthly Until Passing Away,' Eligible Residents in One County Get Direct Card Deposits

The Chiayi County Government has announced a further upgrade to the benefits of Elderly Cards and Love Cards to encourage local seniors and people with disabilities to develop regular exercise habits. Starting immediately, cardholders can visit the Shuishang Township All-People Sports Center and use welfare points to directly offset entry fees. Each entry requires only a deduction of 30 points, allowing free access to professional sports facilities within the center such as the gym, badminton courts, and table tennis rooms, aiming to significantly boost exercise motivation among seniors and people with disabilities through a convenient point redemption system.

What Facilities Can Be Used with 30 Points per Visit? Non-Charity Hours Offer Great Value for Cardholders

The Chiayi County Social Affairs Bureau announced that starting immediately, residents holding Chiayi County Elderly Cards or Love Cards can enter the Shuishang Township All-People Sports Center during 'non-charity hours' by swiping their card to deduct 30 points per visit, directly offsetting the entry fee. This benefit covers a wide range of facilities, including the center's most popular gym, badminton courts, and table tennis rooms.

The Social Affairs Bureau stated that the point redemption mechanism allows residents to freely choose the most suitable exercise based on their physical condition and interests. Whether going to the gym for strength training or meeting friends for a game of badminton or table tennis, all can be paid for via card points, effectively increasing seniors' and people with disabilities' willingness to go out and exercise, maximizing the convenience of Elderly and Love Cards.

Barrier-Free Access and Safety Measures Ensured! How to Use Free Charity Hours?

Chairman Hsu Chia-Jung of the Shuishang Township All-People Sports Center expressed great anticipation for the policy's implementation, hoping to attract more seniors and people with disabilities to leave their homes and enter the facility, enjoying the fun of exercise, improving physical health, and expanding their social circles. To provide the safest and most comfortable exercise environment, the center has fully planned barrier-free pathways and safety protection measures to ensure every visitor can use the facilities with peace of mind.

In addition to using welfare points to offset entry fees during non-charity hours, the Shuishang Township All-People Sports Center also offers dedicated 'free charity hours.' Charity hours are from 8:00 to 10:00 and 14:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. Eligible residents can use the charity hours once daily for free but must choose either the morning or afternoon session. Residents can combine charity hours with the point deduction mechanism of Elderly and Love Cards to plan the most flexible and burden-free exercise schedule.

2026 Chiayi County Elderly Card Eligibility and Qualifications

Residency Requirement: Must be registered as a resident of Chiayi County.

Age Limit: Seniors aged 65 or above.

Application Methods and Required Documents

[In-Person Application]

ID Card: Original and photocopy of both sides (1 copy).

Color Photos: Two 2-inch half-body color photos taken within the last six months (on-site photo service also available; if providing own photos, please write name on the back).

Personal Seal: Personal seal (signature by applicant also acceptable).

[Application by Proxy]

In addition to the applicant's required documents listed above, the proxy must also carry:

Completed power of attorney form.

Proxy's original ID card.

Proxy's personal seal.

[Application Locations and Channels]

In-Person Application: Apply at the township or village office in your registered area within Chiayi County. Cards are issued on-site by 18 township offices, allowing 'apply and receive immediately' with no waiting.

Online Application: Only available for 'first-time applicants'; reissuance is not eligible for online application.

Monthly Subsidy Points and Transportation Discounts for Chiayi County Elderly Cards

Point Issuance: Points are automatically credited to the system upon the first ride of each month:

Usage Rules: Points are valid only for the current month; unused points cannot be carried over to the next month.

Self-Top-Up: If monthly points are exhausted, seniors can self-top-up the e-wallet, and half-price discounts still apply after top-up.

General Areas: Monthly subsidy of 1,000 points.

Remote Areas: Monthly subsidy of 1,200 points.

Public Transportation Point Redemption Scope

1. Highway Buses and Public Buses

Chiayi County Public Bus (including multiple Taiwan Happy Bus routes).

Chiayi Bus (including BRT routes).

Kuo-Kuang Bus City Electric Bus (Red, Green, Yellow Lines).

Tai-I Da Che Dui (Bus Route 109).

2. Inter-County Buses

Sinon Bus: Designated routes (e.g., Chiayi to Sinon, Budai Port, Chiayi HSR Station, etc.).

Hsingnan Bus: Dapu–Yujing route.

3. Remote Area Transportation (Happiness Bus and Happiness Taxi)

Applicable Areas: Alishan, Dapu, Fanlu, Dongshi, Liujiao, Puzi, Dajian, Budai, Yizhu, Xikou, Shuishang, Dapumei.

4. Taiwan Railways (TRA)

Origin or destination station must be one of the following designated stations: Dajian, Minxiong, Jiabei, Chiayi, Shuishang, Nanjing, Sinon (Note: does not include Tainan Houbi Station).

Redemption Limit: After half-price discount, each trip's fare can be redeemed up to a maximum of 200 points.

Applicable Train Types:

Local Train, Local Express Train.

Tzu-Chiang and Chu-Kuang (only unreserved seats).

Inapplicable Train Types: Puyuma, Taroko, New Tzu-Chiang 3000 Series, Tourist Trains, and Group Trains.

Five, Card Reissuance Rules for Loss or Damage

First-time Application: Completely free.

Paid Reissuance: If reapplication is required due to damage, loss, misuse, or lending to others, an 85 NTD card production and handling fee must be paid by the applicant.

Reissuance Process:

1. Transfer funds to the 'Chiayi County Social Affairs Bureau Custody Fund Special Account' (Taiwan Bank Taibao Branch, Account No.: 067-038-094973).

2. Bring proof of transfer to the township office to complete the reapplication.

Six, Refund of Self-Top-Up Funds and Card Lock Mechanism

1. Refund of Self-Top-Up Funds (E-Wallet)

Required Documents: Old card (not required if card is lost), copy of passbook cover.

Procedure: Fill out the application form at the township office; subsequent refund will be assisted by iPASS or EasyCard companies.

2. Deactivation and Card Lock Mechanism

Immediate Lock: If the cardholder passes away, relocates household registration out of Chiayi County, or misuses or lends the card to others, the system will immediately lock the card.

Penalty for Lending:

First Violation: Subsidy suspended for six months.

Second Violation: Subsidy suspended for one year.

After the suspension period ends, the cardholder must reapply at their own expense.