Elderly and Disabled Individuals Could Miss Out on $25,000 Monthly if Unclaimed? Six Major Subsidies to Increase by 23.5% – Eligibility and Accurate Payouts Revealed

Recently, several sensational videos have circulated on social media platforms claiming, "Elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and four other groups must check their eligibility—failure to apply means missing out on a $25,000 monthly subsidy." The groups mentioned include low-income households, children, people with disabilities, and seniors. In response, Taiwan's Fact-Checking Center has released a report stating this claim is "partially false."

While the subsidy increase mentioned in the videos is indeed part of a new government policy, the content misleadingly presents the "maximum subsidy amount" as universally applicable and oversimplifies eligibility criteria, leading to public misunderstanding.

The policy referenced in the viral videos is the "Six Major Social Welfare Subsidy and Allowance Adjustment Plan," approved by the Executive Yuan in March this year, with an overall increase of 23.5%. Premier Cho Jung-tai previously stated that this adjustment will also affect elderly farmer allowances and National Pension benefits. However, since the plan requires legislative amendments, it has not yet been implemented.

Until the law is formally passed, temporary supplements ranging from NT$500 to NT$1,000 are being added to each allowance. Once fully implemented, the policy is expected to benefit approximately 890,000 people monthly.

The six major allowances being adjusted are:

- Low-income household living allowance - Low-income household child living allowance - Low-income household education living allowance - Disability living allowance - Subsidy for low- and middle-income elderly - Living support for disadvantaged children and youth

Eligibility is not automatic based on identity alone—strict income and asset limits apply. The fact-checking report clarifies that all social welfare subsidies require applicants to meet specific financial thresholds, such as being classified as low-income or middle-low-income households, or having household assets below a defined benchmark. Simply belonging to a designated group does not guarantee eligibility.

Regarding the claim that "families with children can receive over $10,000 monthly," this refers specifically to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Low-Income Household Child Living Allowance." It applies only to children or youth under 18 in second- or third-tier low-income households. Moreover, disbursement standards vary by county or city. Even after the adjustment, only families registered in Taipei City are currently eligible for the maximum amount of NT$10,237.

The "Disability Living Allowance" is not automatically granted upon holding a disability certificate. Household income and assets are reviewed, and the actual disbursement amount varies based on the family's financial situation and the severity of the disability.

The correct name for elderly support is the "Subsidy for Low- and Middle-Income Elderly," designed specifically for economically disadvantaged seniors. Those already receiving elderly farmer allowances, National Pension basic old-age benefits, or disability pensions are ineligible due to the principle of non-duplication of benefits.

As for the widely circulated claim of "missing out on $25,000," the fact-checking center confirmed with the 1957 social welfare hotline that this figure represents the maximum cap (NT$25,168) for the "Low-Income Household Living Allowance." The actual payout is calculated based on household size, total income, assets, and local regulations, meaning not every applicant receives the maximum amount.

Local government offices conduct home visits in addition to reviewing documentation and tax records when processing applications for the Low-Income Household Living Allowance, to assess actual living conditions. Individuals who qualify as low- or middle-low-income households can typically apply for multiple allowances simultaneously at their local township office or municipal social affairs division, provided there are no conflicting eligibility rules.

Due to the complexity of some subsidy conditions and potential overlaps, individuals uncertain about their eligibility are advised to call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's welfare consultation hotline at "1957" for confirmation.