The expansion of the government's social welfare system is already showing positive results and getting assistance to more families that need it, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said after hearing a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on the new system at today's Cabinet meeting.
After the implementation of the new measures in July 2011, the number of people qualifying for welfare assistance expanded 1.5-fold to 680,000 people. Spending on social welfare also increased by NT$10.8 billion (US$361 million) over the 2010 level, Jiang said.
The premier directed the MOHW to work with the Council of Labor Affairs and local authorities to bring all their database systems together and find and match the more vulnerable people to local charity and assistance groups.
With colder temperatures expected this winter through next spring, the MOHW should see to it that local governments and social welfare groups begin their outreach ahead of time, indicated Jiang.
"In addition to checking on the health of the elderly and disadvantaged, officials should also take care of the homeless and seniors living alone so that everyone can make it through the winter safely," he said.
Jiang also directed the National Police Agency and National Fire Agency to lend every assistance to help the MOHW improve the health and welfare system and build a more comprehensive social safety net.
A few have misinterpreted the expansion of the social welfare program and the rise in welfare recipients as more indications of economic weakness, Jiang said. The MOHW will step up communications with legislators and the public to clear up any misunderstandings about this policy.
The government amended the Public Assistance Act in 2009 to help improve the economic situation for disadvantaged families and raise their standard of living. From the time the new measures took effect on July 1, 2011 to the end of September 2013, more people in need have been brought under the social welfare umbrella, and more subsidies have been channeled to low- and middle-to-low income households to cover living expenses, medical bills, health insurance premiums and tuition bills. Other measures are also in place to improve work benefits, help build livelihoods and create a better social assistance reporting system, MOHW officials said.