Premier Su announces expanded COVID-19 financial relief

2020/05/06

The government is set to expand the scope of the one-time NT$10,000 (US$335) payment made available for individuals facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Su Tseng-chang said May 4.
 
 Effective May 6, low-income workers who are not enrolled in labor insurance plans and low-income farmers and fishermen who do not qualify for other forms of financial aid can apply for the cash payment, Su said.
 
 The new measure is part of April 21 amendments to the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens, which outlines relief cash payment, expedited loan applications and interest reductions aimed to help alleviate financial difficulties for individuals and businesses.
 
 According to Su, around NT$32 billion of cash compensation has so far been issued to 1.8 million affected individuals including bus and taxi drivers, while NT$1.9 billion of wage subsidies have been offered to those in hard-hit sectors.
 
 Over 70,000 loans totaling NT$370 billion have been approved, Su said, adding that interest reductions on car, credit and mortgage loans have been offered to 4.4 million businesses, households and individuals.
 
 Su said the government will continue to roll out relief measures as necessary to ensure support is available for all those in need. The Cabinet is also engaging with the private sector on how best to revitalize the economy in a post-coronavirus world, he added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)