Six major subsidy programs targeting the disadvantaged, low-income families and older people are to be increased by 23.5 percent, with an expected 890,000 people to benefit, according to the minutes of yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the increases were made to reflect fluctuations in prices of consumer goods, changes in farmers’ subsidy rates and amendments to the National Pension system.
The increases are expected to be implemented in July, as long as this year’s general budget is passed by the legislature, the ministry said.
Photo courtesy of the Tainan Social Affairs Bureau
Living subsidies for low-income families of between NT$6,825 and NT$20,379 (US$214 and US$640) would be raised to between NT$8,429 and NT$25,168, with 77,000 people expected to benefit, a ministry report said.
Living subsidies for children in low-income families of between NT$2,313 and NT$8,289 would be raised to between NT$5,000 and NT$10,237, with 58,000 people expected to benefit, it said.
Education subsidies for students in low-income families of NT$6,825 would be raised to NT$8,429, with an expected 28,000 people benefiting, it added.
Living subsidies for the physically and mentally challenged of between NT$4,950 and NT$9,485 would be increased to NT$5,000 to NT$11,719, with 34,200 expected to benefit, the ministry said.
Living subsidies for older people with low to mid-income, ranging from NT$4,164 to NT$8,329, would be raised to NT$5,142 to NT$10,286, it said, adding that 26,600 people stand to benefit.
Living subsidies for disadvantaged young people and adolescents, ranging from NT$2,197 to NT$2,661, would be increased to a flat rate of NT$5,000, with 11,900 expected to benefit, it added.
The subsidies would account for NT$24.44 billion of central government funding for this fiscal year, with NT$15.26 billion going to subsidies, NT$2.59 billion to special budgets and NT$6.59 billion to additional budgets, the ministry said.
The central government is expected to shoulder costs of up to NT$33.56 billion next year, with NT$33.11 billion in average subsidies and NT$4.5 billion in special budgets as a result of the hike, it said.
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