Ministry of Labor Pays Out! Hidden Subsidy Allows Eligible Individuals to Claim Up to NT$126,000 in Employment Allowance—Available to Both Middle-Aged and Young Job Seekers

Many individuals hesitate to seek job opportunities in different counties due to the high costs of transportation, moving, and rent associated with long-distance relocation. To encourage unemployed individuals to explore job openings across regions, the Ministry of Labor has introduced the 'Cross-Regional Employment Allowance.' This program helps overcome financial barriers to cross-regional employment by providing full financial support from the job interview stage through formal employment, with a maximum combined subsidy of up to NT$126,000.

Who is eligible to apply for cross-regional job seeking? The allowance is not only for young people—middle-aged and older unemployed individuals also qualify.

Many people mistakenly believe this policy is exclusively for youth, but in fact, the eligibility is quite broad. Applicants must be one of the following: nationals aged 18 to 29 seeking employment for the first time, middle-aged unemployed individuals who have been jobless for over three months or were laid off involuntarily, general employment insurance beneficiaries, or unemployed senior citizens. As long as you belong to one of these groups and your intended or actual workplace is located more than 30 kilometers from your usual residence, you meet the eligibility criteria.

How much can you receive in allowances? Here’s a breakdown of housing, relocation, and transportation subsidies.

This allowance provides financial assistance in two stages: 'job interview and job seeking' and 'formal employment.' When traveling to another region for interviews, applicants can claim a job-seeking travel subsidy of NT$500 to NT$1,250 per trip, with a maximum of four applications per year. After being successfully hired and continuously employed by the same employer for at least 30 days, applicants may then apply for employment-stage subsidies based on individual needs.

Employment-stage subsidies are diverse and include a housing allowance of up to NT$5,000 per month for up to 12 months (totaling up to NT$60,000); a one-time relocation allowance of up to NT$30,000; or a cross-regional employment transportation allowance of NT$1,000 to NT$3,000 per month (up to 12 months, totaling up to NT$36,000). When combining housing, relocation, and interview travel subsidies, applicants can receive up to NT$126,000 in total support.

What are the application restrictions? Key rules on distance requirements and important reminders.

There are several important rules to follow when applying. The primary condition is that the workplace must be more than 30 kilometers from the applicant’s original residence. If applying for housing or relocation allowances, the new residence or living location must be within 30 kilometers of the workplace. Additionally, while applicants may switch between housing and transportation allowances, the combined duration of receiving either subsidy is capped at 12 months.

Applicants also have a duty to disclose information truthfully. If you are a public official or related to one, you must proactively file a disclosure form in accordance with the 'Public Officials Conflict of Interest Avoidance Act.' Failure to disclose may result in a fine ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$500,000.

How to smoothly claim the subsidy? Here are the five application steps.

The application process must strictly follow the 'register first, then get referred' sequence. First, applicants must personally visit a public employment service agency to register as a job seeker. Second, an employment counselor will conduct a professional consultation and issue a referral card for suitable job opportunities. Third, applicants must attend interviews at the designated referral location—during this stage, they can apply for the job-seeking travel subsidy. Fourth, applicants must be successfully hired and continuously employed at the same organization for at least 30 days. The final step is to formally apply for the allowance at a public employment service agency by submitting relevant documentation such as a rental lease agreement, moving expense receipts, or transportation invoices.