Taipei: Foreign nationals with permanent residency and foreign residents married to Taiwanese nationals will soon benefit from NT$10,000 cash handouts, as announced by the Cabinet.

According to Focus Taiwan, at a news briefing in Taipei, National Treasury Administration head Chen Po-cheng explained that the eligibility criteria for the NT$10,000 (US$329) handouts are similar to those of the NT$6,000 payments distributed in 2023. In addition to Taiwanese nationals, foreign permanent residents, foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits, and stateless residents are eligible to receive the handouts.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive NT$570 billion special package. It aims to offer financial assistance to businesses and individuals impacted by U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese exports, while also bolstering Taiwan's defense infrastructure and Coast Guard capabilities.

The recent passage of a special act has authorized these measures, and the Cabinet has approved a corresponding special budget bill on Thursday. This bill, however, requires legislative approval before the government can access the NT$570 billion in funding.

The cash handouts, slated for distribution approximately a month after the special budget is passed by the Legislature and signed into law by President Lai Ching-te, are projected to cost a total of NT$236 billion, as per the Ministry of Finance. The ministry further noted that the entire NT$570 billion package will be financed through surplus revenues and borrowing.