Taipei: Taiwan's Legislature on Friday passed the key provisions of a special act, paving the way for NT$10,000 (US$333) cash handouts to citizens. Disbursements are expected to begin in October and be completed within seven months.

According to Focus Taiwan, departing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Wu Szu-yao stated that after the act's approval, the Cabinet will submit a special budget to the Legislature in September. This aligns with the law's requirement for the Executive Yuan to submit a separate appropriations bill within one month of the act's enactment.

The schedule set by the act mandates that cash handouts begin within one month of the special budget's promulgation, making it likely that payments will commence in October. The special act is effective from March 12, 2025, through December 31, 2027, and is designed to strengthen economic and social resilience, support households, and aid industries impacted by external pressures, such as rising U.S. tariffs and supply chain challenges.

The original fund was set at NT$545 billion. On August 14, the Cabinet proposed increasing it to NT$590 billion to include electricity system upgrades. However, opposition lawmakers removed those provisions, reducing the total fund to NT$570 billion.

Separately, the Legislature approved a NT$60 billion special budget to support regions affected by Typhoon Danas and heavy rain in July. This budget includes NT$50.1 billion for economic development, NT$4.6 billion for general administration, NT$3 billion for reserves, NT$1.6 billion for community and environmental protection, and NT$700 million for education, science, and culture. The budget will be fully debt-financed.

Meanwhile, the Legislature approved the 2025 central government supplementary budget, adding more than NT$81.9 billion, including general grants to local governments, logging ban compensation, and improvements to military personnel benefits.