6 Major Social Welfare Allowances May Be Raised in July; Shih Chong-liang: 890,000 Could Be Affected If Budget Not Passed

(CNA reporter Tseng I-ning, Taipei, June 17) The Legislative Yuan has not yet completed its review of the 2026 central government budget, raising concerns within the Executive Yuan that planned increases in social welfare allowances may be delayed. Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chong-liang said today that if supplementary budgets are not approved for six of the eight welfare allowances—excluding those requiring legal amendments—approximately 890,000 people could be affected.

The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Health Environment Committee continues to review the Health and Welfare Ministry's portion of the 2026 central government budget and invited Minister Shih Chong-liang to attend.

The Executive Yuan recently approved increases in eight major social welfare allowances, planning implementation from July, targeting groups including low-income households, vulnerable children and youth, people with disabilities, and elderly farmers. Before the meeting, Minister Shih told reporters that while elderly allowances and National Pension adjustments require legal revisions and their timelines are uncertain, the remaining six allowances are expected to be funded through supplementary budgets, with implementation targeted for July 1.

Shih explained that a 23% increase in the six allowances requires supplementary budgeting, adding NT$6.59 billion this year, bringing total expenditures to NT$24.44 billion, benefiting approximately 890,000 people. Next year's total budget will reach NT$33.56 billion. For the increase to take effect in the second half of this year, the overall budget must first be approved to enable supplementary budget procedures.

Regarding pensions, Shih said that under the Executive Yuan's proposal to raise monthly payments to NT$5,000, about 1.69 million people would benefit, with an annual budget of approximately NT$19 billion. If implemented in the second half, the budget would increase by over NT$8 billion compared to current levels.

Additionally, Democratic Progressive Party legislators Liu Chien-kuo and Lin Yueh-pin, along with Taiwan People's Party legislator Chen Chao-chih, jointly held a public hearing on 'Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting,' discussing heart-beating organ donation after death determination. Shih stated that the Organ Donation and Transplantation Center has already issued SOPs for donation after cardiac death, and the Department of Medical Affairs continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and hosts forums to improve procedural coordination between the medical and legal sectors. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150617