Taipei Rolls Out New Policies in July: Free Second-Child Daycare, Enhanced Senior Cards, Credit Card Metro Access

Taipei is set to roll out a comprehensive package of new social welfare and convenience policies beginning in July, aimed at easing the burden on families and enhancing public services. Key initiatives include significant enhancements to childcare support and expanded benefits for senior citizens.

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Starting in July, the 'Friendly Childcare Subsidy' will be enhanced, raising the maximum subsidy for quasi-public childcare services to NT$8,000, with parents' monthly burden reduced to NT$2,500, the highest subsidy nationwide.

Starting July, the "Friendly Childcare Subsidy" will be enhanced, raising the maximum subsidy for quasi-public childcare services to NT$8,000, reducing parents' monthly burden to NT$2,500, the highest subsidy nationwide. Notably, for second-child families and beyond, all public and quasi-public childcare services will become entirely free of monthly charges. Taipei becomes the first city in Taiwan to offer zero monthly fees for second-child and subsequent children in both public and quasi-public care.

Senior citizens will also see increased benefits, with monthly social welfare points on their senior and accessible transport cards rising from 480 to 600 points starting July 1. These points can be used for various services, including deductions for medical appointments at Taipei City Hospitals and the rental of YouBike 2.0E bikes. Furthermore, accessible cardholders will be able to use points to cover the full cost of paratransit rides, a first in Taiwan.

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For second-child and subsequent children, regardless of whether they are sent to public or quasi-public services, they will enjoy full monthly fee exemption.

In healthcare, Taipei will subsidize RSV vaccines for pregnant women and monoclonal antibodies for infants at high risk starting in July. Additionally, from August 1, the city will fully fund two doses of shingles vaccine for low-income and middle-low-income residents aged 50 and above. The Taipei Metro will also begin accepting credit card payments and mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay at all stations by July, improving convenience for commuters.

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Starting July 1, the monthly social welfare points for senior and accessible transport cards will increase from 480 to 600 points.

Education is another focus, with free school lunches for all public and private elementary and junior high students set to begin on August 31. Mayor Chiang Wan-an emphasized that this measure not only alleviates financial pressure on parents but also promotes educational equity and supports students' healthy growth. The city will subsidize up to NT$87 per meal for elementary students and NT$92 for junior high students, ensuring quality and nutritional value.

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RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization for bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children, and there are currently no antiviral drugs available for treatment.