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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Over 90% of Taipei Seniors Don't Use All Their Welfare Points; Candidate Urges Full EasyCard Integration

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A significant majority of Taipei's elderly residents do not fully utilize their "Respect for the Elderly" card points, with only 6-8% using them completely each month.
  • A city council candidate is advocating for the card to be fully integrated with the EasyCard system, allowing broader use for daily necessities.
  • Neighboring New Taipei City is already implementing reforms to allow points to be used at convenience stores and pharmacies, with Taipei urged to follow suit.

Despite an upcoming increase in the monthly allowance for Taipei's Respect for the Elderly card from 480 to 600 points starting in July, a large portion of the city's elderly population struggles to use the full amount. Currently, only about 6% to 8% of seniors manage to exhaust their monthly points, according to independent city council candidate Chen Yi-chieh.

Chen highlights that the primary issue for many elderly residents is not a lack of funds but rather the restrictive usage limitations of the card. She points out that many seniors have reduced mobility and do not frequently use public transportation. Even with increased points, they may not benefit significantly if the card cannot be used for essential items.

The biggest problem for many elderly people is not insufficient credit, but too many usage restrictions.

— Chen Yi-chiehIndependent city council candidate for Shilin-Beitou, commenting on the limitations of Taipei's Respect for the Elderly card.

Many seniors' most pressing expenses are for nutritional supplements, adult diapers, and medical supplies. However, the current system does not permit the use of Respect for the Elderly card points for these necessities, leading to a substantial amount of unused benefits expiring at the end of each month. "Instead of letting welfare go unused, let the elderly truly benefit from it," Chen stated.

Instead of letting welfare go unused, let the elderly truly benefit from it.

— Chen Yi-chiehAdvocating for broader usage of the Respect for the Elderly card points.

Chen advocates for reforming the Respect for the Elderly card to be fully compatible with the EasyCard system. This would allow points to be used at convenience stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that accept EasyCard payments, directly converting the subsidy into funds for daily living needs. She notes that the problem is even more pronounced for some individuals with disabilities who have minimal need for public transport.

Neighboring New Taipei City has already begun reforms. Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced an increase in the card's points to 600 and a phased introduction of diverse usage options, including at convenience stores and pharmacies. New Taipei is also considering a point accumulation mechanism. Taipei, with its comprehensive EasyCard system, is urged to lead the way in transforming the welfare benefit from merely "giving more" to ensuring it is "actually usable" by the elderly.

Taipei City should take the lead in demonstrating how elderly welfare can move from 'giving more' to 'being usable'.

— Chen Yi-chiehUrging Taipei to adopt more flexible policies for the Respect for the Elderly card.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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