NT$10,000 cash handouts expected in October as Legislature finalizes act

Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Taiwan's Legislature on Friday passed the key provisions of a special act, paving the way for NT$10,000 (US$333) cash handouts to citizens. Disbursements are expected to begin in October and be completed within seven months.

Departing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) said that after the act's approval, the Cabinet will submit a special budget to the Legislature in September, in line with the law's requirement that the Executive Yuan submit a separate appropriations bill within one month of enactment.

The schedule set by the act requires that cash handouts begin within one month of the special budget's promulgation, making it likely that payments will start in October.

The special act, effective March 12, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, aims to strengthen economic and social resilience, support households, and aid industries affected by external pressures, including rising U.S. tariffs and supply chain challenges.

The fund was originally set at NT$545 billion. On Aug. 14, the Cabinet proposed increasing it to NT$590 billion to include electricity system upgrades, but opposition lawmakers removed those provisions, reducing the total fund to NT$570 billion.

Separately, the Legislature also passed a NT$60 billion special budget to support regions affected by Typhoon Danas and heavy rain in July.

This included NT$50.1 billion for economic development, NT$4.6 billion for general administration, NT$3 billion for reserves, NT$1.6 billion for community and environmental protection, and NT$700 million for education, science and culture. The budget will be fully debt-financed.

Meanwhile, the Legislature approved the 2025 central government supplementary budget, adding more than NT$81.9 billion, including general grants to local governments, logging ban compensation, and improvements to military personnel benefits.