Senior Citizens Aged 65+ Can Now Claim Money! Up to NT$10,000 to Be Disbursed Starting September 1 in One County – Full 2026 Nationwide Senior Respect Festival Payment Schedule

As the 2026 Senior Respect Festival (October 18) approaches, elderly allowance disbursements are being finalized across all 22 counties and cities in Taiwan. Taipei City has taken the lead in launching its payment program, offering cash payments of up to NT$10,000 and commemorative gifts to seniors aged 65 and above (55 for indigenous residents) who have been registered residents for at least three months.

The most convenient method—direct bank deposit—has an approaching deadline: registration closes on August 14. Applicants who complete the process by this date will receive their funds directly into their accounts starting September 1. Those who miss the deposit registration deadline will need to collect their allowances via senior citizen cards at convenience stores or in person at district offices.

Storm Media has compiled a comprehensive guide covering Taipei City’s application process, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and a complete breakdown of elderly allowance details for all 22 counties and cities in Taiwan.

2026 Taipei City Senior Respect Festival Allowance: Eligibility and Amounts

According to the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare, eligibility for the 2026 Senior Respect Festival allowance requires individuals to have been registered residents of Taipei City for at least three months by October 18 (the festival date) and to turn 65 or older (55 or older for indigenous residents) by December 31, 2026.

The allowance amount is tiered by age group:

- NT$1,500: Seniors aged 65–84 (55–74 for indigenous residents) - NT$3,000: Seniors aged 85–98 (75–88 for indigenous residents) - NT$10,000 + 1 gift: Centenarians aged 99 and above (89 and above for indigenous residents)

Taipei City Senior Allowance Collection Methods (3 Options)

Three collection methods are available, with direct bank deposit strongly recommended for convenience:

- **Direct Bank Deposit (Registration Deadline: August 14; Disbursement: September 1)**: Register online via the Department of Social Welfare website or submit a paper consent form at a district office by August 14. Seniors who registered last year and have not changed their bank account details will receive automatic deposits without reapplying. - Important: The bank account must be in the senior’s own name and must be a standard financial account. Do not use preferential 18% deposit accounts or pension-specific accounts.

- **Senior Card Collection (September 7–18)**: Use your Senior Citizen Card or Love Card at designated kiosks in four major convenience store chains (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart), Meilin Community Stores, or Taipei MRT stations to collect the allowance via card tap.

- **In-Person Cash Collection at District Offices (October 15–17)**: Bring the senior’s original ID card and personal seal to the designated location at their registered district office to collect cash.

6-Step Guide to Apply for Direct Deposit in Taipei City

1. **Visit the Official Website**: Go to the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare website and click on "Senior Respect Festival Allowance Direct Deposit and Donation Online Application." 2. **Select Application Type**: Click on the "Direct Deposit Application" page. 3. **Agree to Terms**: Read the personal data usage consent form and click "Agree." 4. **Identity Verification**: Enter the senior’s ID number, date of birth, and captcha code, then click "Submit Query." 5. **Enter Bank Account**: Select the financial institution (Post Office, Taipei Fubon Bank, or other designated banks) and enter the senior’s personal account number. 6. **Confirm and Submit**: After verifying all information, click "Confirm Submission." A success message indicates completion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

- **Q1: How can I confirm if the allowance has been deposited?** A: Check the "Allowance Inquiry" page on the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare website. Alternatively, review your bank or post office passbook—the transaction will be labeled "Senior Respect Festival Allowance" or "Taipei City Senior Respect Festival Allowance."

- **Q2: What if I miss the August 14 deposit registration or the September card collection period?** A: You may still apply online via the city’s website or submit a paper form at a district office by December 31. The city government will issue delayed payments in batches. December 31 is the final deadline; no retroactive payments will be made after this date.

- **Q3: I received an early disbursement earlier this year. Can I still claim this year’s allowance?** A: Early payments due to system errors will be automatically deducted from the 2026 allowance, with no impact on your rights. If you qualify for a higher tier this year, the city will automatically pay the difference.

- **Q4: Is an SMS asking me to click a link to refund money legitimate?** A: This is absolutely a scam. The city government only sends official notices by mail to your registered address. They never send SMS messages asking you to click links or use ATMs. If in doubt, call the anti-fraud hotline at 165 or the city hotline at 1999.

2026 Nationwide Senior Respect Festival Allowance Guide (Summary)

Beyond Taipei City, all 22 counties and cities in Taiwan will disburse elderly allowances ahead of the Senior Respect Festival. Amounts range from NT$500 to as high as NT$50,000 (in Nangan Township, Yilan County). Below is a summary of key regions:

1. **New Taipei City**: Eligibility: Age 65+ (55+ for indigenous residents) by festival month, with at least one year of residency. Amounts: NT$1,500 (65–79), NT$2,000 (80–89), NT$5,000 (90–99), NT$20,000 (100+). Disbursement: Direct deposit (preferred) or in-person/courier delivery.

2. **Keelung City**: Eligibility: Residents aged 65+ (55+ for indigenous) registered by September 11. Amounts: NT$1,000 (55–99 indigenous; 65–99 general), NT$6,000 + gift (100+). Disbursement: Direct deposit to postal accounts on October 7; cash pickup for those without accounts.

3. **Taoyuan City**: Eligibility: Age 65+ (55+ indigenous) on festival day, with at least six months of residency. Amounts: NT$2,500 (65–98), NT$20,000 (99+). Disbursement: Direct deposit five days before festival; 99+ receive in-person visits with cash.

4. **Hsinchu County**: Eligibility: Age 65+, continuous 10-year residency by application date, and meeting asset limits (annual income ≤ NT$500,000; property value ≤ NT$5 million). Amount: NT$10,000 per person. Disbursement: Application-based, with batch deposits in late July and late November.

5. **Miaoli County**: Eligibility: Registered by January 1, 2025, and aged 65+ (55+ indigenous) by January 1, 2026. Amount: NT$1,000 per person. Disbursement: Unified direct deposit by district offices before festival.

6. **Taichung City**: Eligibility: Residents aged 65+ (55+ indigenous) registered by August 27. Amounts: NT$2,000 (65–89), NT$3,000 (90–94), NT$5,000 (95–99), NT$10,000 (100+). Disbursement: Deposit on October 8; cash pickup for non-applicants from September 30 to October 19.

7. **Changhua County**: Amounts: General households (65+/55+ indigenous): NT$1,000. Welfare-eligible households (low-income/middle-low income/disabled): NT$3,000 (65–79), NT$6,000 (80–89), NT$9,000 (90–99), NT$10,000 (100+). Disbursement: Staged cash or deposit payments.

8. **Nantou County and Nantou City**: - Nantou County: Indigenous 55–64: NT$500; 65–99: NT$1,000; 100+: NT$10,000. - Nantou City bonus: 65–89: NT$1,500; 90–99: NT$2,000; 100+: NT$10,000 + gift.

9. **Yunlin County**: 65–69: NT$1,000; 70–79: NT$2,000; 80–89: NT$3,000; 90–99: NT$6,000; 100+: NT$12,000.

10. **Chiayi County**: 65–89: NT$3,000; 90–99: NT$6,000; 100+: NT$9,000.

11. **Chiayi City**: 65–79: NT$3,000; 80–89: NT$6,000; 90–99: NT$9,000; 100+: NT$12,000.

12. **Tainan City**: Indigenous 55–64 and general 55–99: NT$1,500 (increased this year); 100+: NT$10,000 + gift.

13. **Kaohsiung City**: 65–89 (55–64 indigenous): NT$1,500 (continued)