TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet said Thursday that the NT$10,000 (US$320) cash handout program will begin on Nov. 12 and is expected to boost GDP by as much as half a percentage point.

The Ministry of Finance said the handout will be distributed to citizens with household registration, foreign permanent residents, and qualified foreign spouses, per CNA. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2026.

For newborns born between April 1 and April 30, 2026, parents will have until May 22 to claim the handout at post offices to allow time for birth certificate processing.

The handout can be received through five channels: online registration with deposit, direct deposit, roster-based deposit, ATM withdrawals, and post office collection. Deposits for the first three methods will start on Nov. 12, followed by ATM withdrawals on Nov. 17 and post office collections on Nov. 24.

Deputy Finance Minister Juan Ching-hua (阮清華) said the National Development Council projected a 0.415 percentage point boost to GDP, while Economic Affairs Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) expects up to 0.5 points. However, since recipients may use the funds for savings or substitute consumption, the overall impact remains to be seen.

Cabinet Spokesperson Lee Hui-chih (李慧芝) said the government plans to roll out a domestic demand expansion program next year, including concerts and sports events. The initiative aims to promote consumption from the handout.