Nearly 5 million people have already signed up to receive the government’s NT$10,000 (US$323) universal cash handout since registration opened on Wednesday last week, with deposits expected to begin on Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance said today.
After a staggered sign-up last week according to the final digit of the applicant’s national ID or Alien Resident Certificate number, online registration is now open to all eligible Taiwanese citizens, foreign permanent residents and spouses of Taiwanese citizens.
Banks are expected to start issuing deposits from 6pm tomorrow, the ministry said.
Photo: CNA
Those who complete registration by today are expected to receive their NT$10,000 on Wednesday, National Treasury Administration Director-General Chen Po-cheng (陳柏誠) said.
An estimated 9 to 10 million people would receive payment on the first day, Financial Information Service Co (FISC) chairman Lin Kuo-liang (林國良) said.
If Taipei calls off work this week due to the incoming Typhoon Fung-wong, deposit dates would continue as planned, even as financial institutions close, Lin said.
The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee today visited the FISC headquarters to review cash handout preparations.
As of 11am today, 4,972,810 people had completed online registration via the official Web site, ministry data showed.
The handout is to be distributed via five methods: direct transfer, ATM withdrawal, counter withdrawal at post offices, distribution via special rosters for rural townships and direct transfer for specific groups.
The handout can also be collected without registering online, either through ATMs starting on Monday next week or at post offices beginning on Nov. 24.
The cash handout is part of an NT$570 billion special package approved by the legislature on Oct. 17 and promulgated on Oct. 23.
Meanwhile, the Executive Yuan’s Anti-Fraud Command Center said it has set up an inter-ministerial task force to address increased fraud risks involving the cash handout.
The public should remain cautious against scammers posing as government agencies, post offices or financial institutions, it said.
They may send fake links or messages that require personal information or for the account holder to access ATMs or online banking, claiming to have detected account abnormalities or require verification, it said.
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