Taipei: Taiwan residents aged 13-22 will be eligible to claim NT$1,200 (US$38.32) in cash handouts, known as Culture Points, from January 1, 2026, to spend on cultural activities or at related venues, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced on Monday. The initiative aims to engage more young adults in the cultural scene and bolster Taiwan's cultural and creative sectors.

According to Focus Taiwan, the program initially launched in 2023 was limited to individuals aged 18-21. It saw an expansion in 2024 to include 16-17-year-olds, and in 2025, it began offering NT$600 in Culture Points to children aged 13-15 on a trial basis. During a news conference, Culture Minister Li Yuan revealed the latest expansion that will allow all Taiwanese residents aged 13-22 to access NT$1,200 in Culture Points starting in 2026.

Eligible participants, including Taiwanese citizens and certain foreign nationals born between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013, will be able to claim the handouts digitally via an MOC app. The points, valued at NT$1 each, can be utilized at designated independent bookstores, record stores, live music events, cultural parks, bazaars, and screenings of Taiwanese films. They must be used within the 2026 calendar year.

The ministry specified that in 2025, foreign nationals holding alien permanent resident certificates or spouse-based resident visas who met the age requirements could claim Culture Points. The points are accessible through a QR code system, and children without smartphones can apply for a paper-based QR code via the MOC's customer service line.

The ministry further noted a high engagement rate, with over 80 percent of eligible individuals having used their 2025 Culture Points, resulting in a spend of nearly NT$1.5 billion.