2026 Double Ninth Festival Elderly Respect Allowance in Taiwan! Up to TWD 50,000 Cash Red Envelopes – Full Breakdown of Amounts, Eligibility, and Distribution by All 22 Counties and Cities

The 2026 Double Ninth Festival will take place on October 18, and elderly respect allowance programs across Taiwan’s counties and cities have been finalized. To help families with elderly members accurately access welfare benefits, this article comprehensively summarizes the latest distribution standards, eligibility requirements, disbursement dates, and methods across all 22 counties and cities—including offshore areas and local township offices—while also addressing the three most common issues encountered during application, enabling you to easily secure rightful benefits for your elders.

2026 Double Ninth Elderly Allowance Overview: Eligibility and Subsidy Amounts Across 22 Counties and Cities

The general principle for distributing elderly allowances is based on the senior’s age and household registration duration (typically 65 years or older for general seniors, 55 years or older for indigenous elders). Since budgets are independently allocated by local governments, eligibility thresholds, amounts, and distribution methods vary by region.

2026 Taipei City Elderly Respect Allowance

Taipei City’s allowance follows the "Double Ninth Elderly Respect Allowance Distribution Standards." Starting July 2026, the monthly points on the Elderly Love Card will also be upgraded to 600 points.

- Eligibility: Must be registered in Taipei City by July 18, 2026, and turn 65 or older (55 or older for indigenous people) by December 31, 2026. - Amounts: - Ages 65–84 (55–84 for indigenous): TWD 1,500 per person - Ages 85–98 (75–88 for indigenous): TWD 3,000 per person - Ages 99 and above (89 and above for indigenous): TWD 10,000 per person plus one gift - Distribution Methods: - Low-income households: Direct bank transfer by the Department of Social Welfare - General seniors (choose one of three): - Bank transfer registration: Submit consent form online or at district offices by August 14; funds disbursed September 1 - Elderly card tap: Between September 7 and 18, tap card at Taipei MRT station recharge machines, four major convenience stores, or Mei-Lian She - Cash pickup: October 15–17 at designated times and locations announced by district offices - Ages 99+: Delivered in person by neighborhood officers - Reissue Deadline: Applications accepted until December 31, 2026

2026 New Taipei City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Must be 65 or older (55+ for indigenous) by the month of the Double Ninth Festival, registered in New Taipei City for at least one year by the end of the festival month, and continuously registered until one month before the festival. Individuals who pass away or move out during the registration-to-disbursement period are ineligible. - Amounts: - Ages 65–79 (55+ for indigenous): TWD 1,500 - Ages 80–89: TWD 2,000 - Ages 90–99: TWD 5,000 - Ages 100+: TWD 20,000 - Distribution: Priority given to bank transfers (application required by August 27 at district offices). Unregistered individuals will receive cash via designated pickup points or home delivery by district offices.

2026 Taoyuan City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Must be 65 or older (55+ for indigenous) on the festival day, registered in Taoyuan City for at least six months with proof of residence. Foreign nationals approved under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Mackay Program are also eligible. - Amounts: - Ages 65–98: TWD 2,500 - Ages 99+: TWD 20,000 - Distribution: Ages 65–98 receive direct bank transfer to post office or designated financial accounts five days before the festival (cash disbursement allowed under special circumstances). Ages 99+ receive cash in person via designated personnel from district offices or the Social Affairs Bureau.

2026 Taichung City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Born on or before December 31, 1961 (December 31, 1971 for indigenous), and registered in Taichung City by August 27, 2026. Ineligible if deceased, missing (not deregistered), or abroad without completing collection by the deadline. - Amounts: - Ages 65–89 (55–89 for indigenous): TWD 2,000 - Ages 90–94: TWD 3,000 - Ages 95–99: TWD 5,000 - Ages 100+: TWD 10,000 - Distribution: Direct bank transfer on October 8 (application required by August 28, online or paper). Unregistered seniors receive cash in person from village chiefs or officers between September 30 and October 19. Reissue deadline: November 30, 2026.

2026 Tainan City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Ages 65–99 (born on or before October 29, 1955) and indigenous ages 55–64 (born on or before October 29, 1965). Must be registered by June 30, 2025, and continuously reside without moving out by September 29, 2025. Centenarians are verified via the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s registry. - Amounts: - Ages 55–99: TWD 1,500 (increased from 2026) - Ages 100+: TWD 10,000 plus a gift worth up to TWD 2,000 - Distribution: General seniors receive bank transfer on October 23 (free of fees at post offices or 15 designated financial institutions). Those without accounts receive cash via neighborhood officers or designated pickup points. Centenarians receive city and central government gifts via designated representatives.

2026 Kaohsiung City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Born on or before December 31, 1955 (December 31, 1965 for indigenous), registered in Kaohsiung by June 30, 2025, and not moved out by September 29. - Amounts: - Ages 65–89 (55–64 for indigenous): TWD 1,500 - Ages 90–99: TWD 5,000 - Ages 100+: TWD 10,000 - Distribution: Direct bank transfer on October 15 for those with post office, farmers’ association, or 35 designated financial accounts. Others receive in-person delivery or pickup between October 15 and 31 by district offices. Centenarians receive home visits from the Social Affairs Bureau. Reissue period: November 1 to December 31.

2026 Keelung City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Must be 65+ (55+ for indigenous) and registered in Keelung one month before the festival (by September 11). - Amounts: - Ages 65–99: TWD 1,000 plus one gift - Ages 100+: TWD 6,000 plus one elderly gift - Distribution: Direct bank transfer on October 7 for those with post office accounts. Others must present ID and seal at district offices to collect cash.

2026 Hsinchu County Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Turn 65 or older by December 31, 2026, registered in Hsinchu County after August 1, 1995, and continuously registered for at least 10 years by the application date. - Wealth Exclusion Criteria: - Annual income ≥ TWD 500,000 - Total real estate value ≥ TWD 5,000,000 - Active military, civil servants, public school teachers, public enterprise employees, or recipients of pensions, elderly farmer allowances, or veteran support payments - Amount: TWD 10,000 per person - Distribution: Apply at local township offices between April 1 and September 30, 2026 (no re-application needed for previous recipients). Approved applications from April 1–May 31 disbursed by end of July; June 1–September 30 applications by end of November.

2026 Hsinchu City Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Registered in Hsinchu City and turn 65 or older by the festival date. - Amounts: - Ages 65–99: TWD 2,000 - Ages 100+: TWD 6,000 - Distribution: Direct transfer for those receiving elderly allowances or with post office/farmers’ association accounts. Others receive cash via neighborhood officers. Unclaimed amounts can be collected at the city’s Social Affairs Bureau until December 31.

2026 Miaoli County Elderly Respect Allowance

- Eligibility: Registered in Miaoli County by January 1, 2025, and turn 65+ (born on or before January 1, 1955) or 55–64 indigenous by January 1, 2026. - Amount: TWD 1,000 per person - Distribution: Cash or bank transfer by township offices before the festival (details vary by township).