Universal NT$10,000 cash handout to be available as early as Nov. 12

Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) The Executive Yuan announced Thursday evening that a universal cash handout of NT$10,000 (US$330) could be available as early as Nov. 12, following the promulgation of a newly passed bill by the Presidential Office earlier in the day that provides funding for the program.

Taiwanese citizens and eligible foreign nationals will be able to register on a dedicated website for the one-off cash payment on Nov. 5, Chen Po-cheng (陳柏誠), director-general of the National Treasury Administration of the Ministry of Finance, told a press conference at 8:30 p.m.

Under the rules, from Nov. 5-9, online registration for the cash handout will be conducted in stages based on the last digit of the applicant's National ID number or Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) number.

Starting Nov. 10, registration will be open to everyone, regardless of the last digit of their ID or ARC number.

Those who opt to receive the money by registering online for a direct deposit could receive it as early as Nov. 12, Chen said.

Alternatively, individuals can withdraw the payment from ATMs starting Nov. 17 or pick it up at a post office from Nov. 24 by showing an NHI card and Taiwan ID or residence certificate, for themselves or someone they are collecting it for, he said.

For those covered by government-run pension or social welfare allowance programs, the payment will be automatically deposited into their account starting Nov. 12, according to the Executive Yuan.

In addition to Taiwan nationals, non-registered nationals with residence permits, foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits also qualify for the handouts, under the same rules that applied to the NT$6,000 cash handout distributed in 2023.

The deadline to receive the payment is April 30 next year, while parents of babies born in April next year have until May 22 to collect the cash, considering the time needed to prepare the babies' birth certificates.

The cash handout program is part of a NT$570 billion special package approved by the Legislature on Oct. 17, aimed at providing financial assistance to businesses and individuals affected by U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese exports, while also strengthening Taiwan's defense infrastructure and Coast Guard.

The Presidential Office promulgated the bill Thursday evening, with it coming into immediate force.