Seniors, Hurry to Claim Your Money! Elderly Card Upgraded with 2 Benefits: 'Monthly 1,000 NT Dollar Allowance Until Passing,' Deposited Automatically via Card in 1 County

To create a senior-friendly environment and promote rights for people with disabilities, the Changhua County Government has officially announced an upgrade to the Elder Happiness Card. County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei stated that service offerings under the Elder Happiness Card continue to expand: starting August 1, 'deduction of points at national sports centers' will be introduced, eliminating previous restrictions limited to public service hours. From October 1, 'deduction at county-wide farmers’ and fisheries associations' will be added, making exercise and shopping more convenient for seniors and people with disabilities. Below is a comprehensive guide summarizing the allowance amount and usage scope of Changhua County’s Elderly Card.

In 2026, Changhua County’s Elder Happiness Card introduces two new measures: 'Sports + Shopping'.

1. Sports Center Deduction (Up to 50 Points per Visit, Effective August 1) Available Hours: No longer limited to morning (8–10 a.m.) and afternoon (2–4 p.m.) public service hours; now usable during all regular business hours. Deduction Standard: 50 points per swimming pool visit; 30 points per fitness center/gym visit. Eligible Venues: Changbei, Yuanlin, and Meihua Sports Centers (Lukang to be completed by year-end; Erhlin, Beidou, Tianzhong, and Xihu to follow).

2. Farmers’ and Fisheries Associations Shopping Deduction (Up to 200 Points Monthly, Effective October 1) Deduction Standard: Cardholders can purchase quality agricultural and specialty products at all township-level farmers’ and fisheries associations’ directly operated outlets across Changhua County, with a maximum monthly deduction of 200 points per person.

Eligibility for Changhua County Elderly Card Residents registered in Changhua County who meet any of the following conditions may apply: - Aged 65 or above - Holders of a disability certificate - Indigenous people aged 55 or above

Allowance Amount Each person receives 1,000 welfare points monthly (1 point = 1 NT dollar). Points are recalculated monthly and unused points do not carry over to the next month.

Card Application Fee First-time applications are free. Replacement cards due to loss or damage require a processing fee of NT$79.

Application Locations (Choose One) - Local township/city offices in the applicant’s registered residence - Online application via Changhua County Government’s online platform, with card collection at service counters - In-person application and collection at the Social Affairs Department, Changhua County Government (6F, No. 100, Zhongxing Road, Changhua City)

Required Documents - Applicant’s personal seal - Two 2-inch color photos taken within the last year (only one required when applying at the Social Affairs Department) - Original ID card or household register (people with disabilities must present disability certificate; indigenous people must present household register proving identity) Note: If applying by proxy, the proxy must present their original ID card for verification.

Eight Service Items and Deduction Rules for the Elder Happiness Card Cardholders can enjoy not only the new sports center and agricultural/fisheries association benefits, but also the following diverse lifestyle services:

1. Full Deduction of Urban Bus Fares Participating Operators: Changhua Bus, Yuanlin Bus, Nantou Bus (all routes), and Zhonglu Bus Routes 16 (Changhua–Chaoma) and 9018 (Taichung–Lukang) Usage: Card must be swiped upon boarding and alighting. Fare is fully deducted from points. If points or e-wallet balance are insufficient, users must pay the difference via self-funded top-up.

2. Full Deduction of Highway Bus Fares Ubus: Routes 1621 (Taichung–Kaohsiung), 1630 (Xigang–Taipei), 1652 (Fangyuan–Taipei) Kuo-Kuang Bus: Routes 1828 (Changhua–Taipei), 1829 (Yuanlin–Taipei), 1830 (Beidou–Taipei) Usage: Purchase tickets at Ubus or Kuo-Kuang ticket counters to fully deduct preferential fares using points. Both operators offer advance ticketing services (Ubus: within 16 days; Kuo-Kuang: within 14 days).

3. Subsidized Designated Taxis (Subsidy of 85 NT Dollars per Ride) Usage: When riding contracted taxi fleets, each trip receives an 85-point (NT$) subsidy, with a maximum of four trips per day. The difference is paid via self-funded balance on the card or in cash. Eligible Areas: Origin or destination within Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, or Yunlin County. Advance phone reservation, use of fleet app, or identifying taxis with the 'Elder Happiness Card Exclusive Badge' is recommended.

4. Deduction on TRA Train Fares (Up to 45 Points per Trip) Eligibility: When riding TRA trains, if either the departure or arrival station is one of nine stations in Changhua County (Changhua, Huatan, Dacun, Yuanlin, Yongjing, Shelou, Tianzhong, Ershui, Yuanyuan), a maximum of 45 points is subsidized per trip. Eligible Trains: Local, Local Express, Tzu-Chiang, and莒光号 (non-reserved seating only for reserved trains). Any excess fare beyond the subsidy is deducted from the card’s self-funded e-wallet.

5. Deduction of Partial Medical Fees at Clinics (50 Points per Visit) Usage: Present the Elder Happiness Card and NHI card at contracted clinics to deduct 50 NT dollars from the basic partial payment (40 NT dollars in medically underserved areas).

6. County Tourism Deduction (300 Points per Trip) Usage: Join one of 30 designated local day-trip routes (including Dongshi Forest Recreation Area) through contracted travel agencies. A tour departs when at least half of the passengers hold the card and the group reaches 15 people. Each trip deducts 300 points from transportation and insurance fees (admission, meals, DIY activities, etc., are self-paid).

7. Sports Center Point Deduction (30–50 Points per Visit) Usage: At operational national sports centers in the county, swimming pool visits deduct 50 points per use; gym/fitness center visits deduct 30 points per use.

8. Farmers’ and Fisheries Associations Shopping Deduction (Up to 200 Points Monthly) Usage: Purchase agricultural specialty products at directly operated outlets of farmers’ and fisheries associations across Changhua County’s townships; each person may deduct up to 200 points monthly.

Source: Changhua County Social Affairs Bureau