The Executive Yuan today said that it would not provide a “do not receive” option for the upcoming universal cash handout, as it would require additional identity verification and delay distribution.
The Executive Yuan earlier this month approved a special budget for economic and societal resilience that includes a cash handout of NT$10,000 to all citizens and permanent residents, to be distributed beginning next month at the earliest.
Hsuan Chuang University religion professor Shih Chao-hwei (釋昭慧) and other organizations proposed allowing people to opt out of the handout on the online registration system, sparking public debate.
Photo: AFP
Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said that the Cabinet reviewed this proposal, and after conferring with relevant ministries, decided not to add an option to refuse the handout.
Adding this option to the registration system would require separate identity verification to prevent personal data misuse, which would increase costs and potentially delay distribution, Lee said.
The Executive Yuan decided to maintain the existing registration system without adding extra pages, ensuring a simpler and smoother distribution process, she said.
Lee thanked the civil organizations for their concern for the government’s finances, and said the government would continue to listen to public suggestions.
The government respects people’s freedom of choice when it comes to the cash handout, she added.
According to the Ministry of Finance, people can collect the universal cash payment through direct deposit, registration-based deposit, ATM withdrawal, post office withdrawal and ledger-based distribution.
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