Taiwan's Cabinet on Sept. 10 approved a NT$16.6 billion expansion of subsidies for residents of long-term care and disability care facilities, raising the annual cap from NT$120,000 to NT$180,000. About 105,000 people are expected to benefit, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lu Chien-te (呂建德) said, the Taipei Times reported. Applications open on Sept. 14, and the health ministry said the higher rate applies retroactively from Jan. 1.
What changes? The monthly subsidy rises from NT$10,000 to NT$15,000, and payments move from once to twice a year, a change that CNA reported is meant to shorten the time families spend covering costs up front. The old rule, which paid a full year only after a resident had stayed 180 days, gives way to monthly counting: a month qualifies when the resident lives in the facility for at least half its calendar days. Local governments will review and pay out in two rounds, one for each half of the year, said Wu Hsi-wen (吳希文), deputy director-general of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's long-term care department.
Who qualifies? The scheme covers residents assessed at long-term care need level 4 or above, or holding a certificate of moderate or greater disability, in facilities ranging from nursing homes and psychiatric nursing homes to veterans' homes. Certificate holders already approved for the separate residential care subsidy for people with disabilities keep it and can claim an extra NT$5,000 a month without switching schemes, Wu said.
What did officials say? Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Taiwan has become a super-aged society and that the government launched its Long-Term Care 10-Year Plan 3.0 this year, committing NT$115.3 billion in the first year. Lu said the change aims to cut burdens and shorten procedures, and that aligning the disability residential subsidy fulfils a campaign pledge of the president, CNA reported.
How have families and operators responded? A Kaohsiung resident told PTS her brother's nursing home had cost NT$40,000 to NT$50,000 a month. Residents welcomed the increase, but a care operator surnamed Tsai told the broadcaster her facility normally receives the health bureau's notice to begin processing subsidies in July and had none by September, leaving many families anxious.
What happens next? Residents admitted before Sept. 30 will be counted by actual days of residence and those admitted from Oct. 1 from their application date, said Chu Chien-fang (祝健芳), director-general of the ministry's long-term care department. Local governments are to finish reviewing applications by the end of January 2027, CNA reported.
