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Living allowance for children of families in special circumstances

Families meeting special circumstances (single parent, domestic violence, spouse's death, etc.) can receive a monthly living allowance of NT$3,235 per child under the age of 18.

Last Updated: 5/4/2026｜Last verified: 4/1/2026｜Authority: Ministry of Health and Welfare

Monthly amount
From NT$3,235/mo
Authority
Ministry of Health and Welfare
Application Period
Ongoing
Go to official application →

What is the Special Circumstances Family Child Support Allowance?

The Special Circumstances Family Child Support Allowance is a regular cash subsidy provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare under the Special Circumstances Family Support Act. It is intended to assist families facing hardship due to significant misfortune in helping their minor children maintain basic living needs.

Each eligible child can receive NT$3,235 per month (approximately a certain percentage of the annual minimum living allowance) until they reach the age of 18. If the child is still in school, this allowance can be extended until graduation, up to a maximum age of 25.

Special Circumstances Family Support System

Children's living allowance is only one part of the special circumstances family support system. The complete support program includes:

Support Program Content
Children's Living Allowance NT$3,235 per person per month (topic of this article)
Emergency Living Assistance One-time payment of 3 months' living expenses
Children's Education Subsidy Tuition and Fee Reduction
Injury and Illness Medical Subsidy Subsidy for Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses
Legal Proceedings Subsidy Up to NT$50,000
Business Startup Loan Subsidy Loan Interest Subsidy
Childcare Subsidy Childcare Fee Subsidy

What Circumstances Qualify as "Special Circumstances"?

Families meeting any of the following conditions can be identified as having special circumstances:

Seven Criteria for Identification

# Condition Explanation
1 Spouse's Death The spouse has died within the last 3 years, or a death declaration has been received.

| 2 | Spouse's Disappearance | The spouse has been missing for more than 6 months after being searched by the police.

| 3 | Domestic Violence | The family has suffered domestic violence and obtained a protection order, or has separated from the abusive spouse or is divorced.

| 4 | Child Born Out of Wedlock | The child is born out of wedlock and does not live with the other parent.

| 5 | Spouse's Imprisonment | The spouse is imprisoned for a crime, with a sentence of more than 1 year (including compulsory rehabilitation).

| 6 | Family Supporter's Incompetence | The main breadwinner of the family is unable to work due to physical or mental disability or serious illness.

| 7 | Abandonment | The family has been abandoned by their spouse, as determined by a court ruling or other evidence. |

💡 Most common application scenarios: Single parenthood after divorce (subject to relevant conditions), separation or divorce following domestic violence, or death of a spouse.

Income and Asset Restrictions

Income Threshold

Applicant families must simultaneously meet the following conditions:

  1. Total Family Income: Average monthly income per person must not exceed 2.5 times the minimum living allowance for the current year.

  2. Family Assets: Movable property (deposits, investments, etc.) and immovable property must not exceed a certain standard.

Threshold Reference for Various Counties and Cities (Estimated for 2026)

Region Minimum Living Allowance 2.5 Times Threshold (per person/month)
Taipei City Approx. NT$19,649 Approx. NT$49,123
New Taipei City Approx. NT$16,400 Approx. NT$41,000
Taichung City Approx. NT$16,149 Approx. NT$40,373
Other Provinces in Taiwan Approx. NT$14,230 NT$ Approximately NT$35,575

The eligibility criteria are subject to the latest announcements from each county/city. For example, for a family of three (1 adult + 2 children), if the family's monthly income is lower than the eligibility threshold multiplied by 3, they generally meet the income requirements.

Amount and Duration

Monthly Subsidy Amount

Each eligible child receives NT$3,235 per month (subject to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's announcement; may be slightly adjusted annually).

Example Calculation

Family Scenario Monthly Allowance Annual Allowance
1 child under 18 years old 3,235 yuan 38,820 yuan
2 children under 18 years old 6,470 yuan 77,640 yuan
3 children (1 in university) 9,705 yuan 116,460 yuan

Until how long can this allowance be received?

  • Basic: Until the child reaches age 18

  • Extension: If the child is still in school (high school, university), it can be extended until graduation, up to age 25

  • Annual proof of enrollment is required for eligibility review.

Application Process

Required Documents

  1. Application form (obtainable from the township office or downloadable online)

  2. Household registration certificate or household registration transcript

  3. Applicant's ID card

  4. Proof of income and assets (can be checked by the township office)

  5. Supporting documents for special circumstances (provided as needed):

  • Death certificate

  • Copy of protection order

  • Missing person search record

  • Divorce agreement or court ruling

  • Proof of imprisonment

Applying Unit

Submit the application to the Social Affairs Section of the Township (Town, City, District) Township Office where the child's household registration is located.

Review Time

The township office will complete the review process in approximately 2-4 weeks after accepting the application. Once approved, funds will be disbursed monthly to the designated account starting from the month of application.

Relationship with Other Subsidies

The Special Circumstances Family Children's Living Allowance can be received simultaneously with multiple subsidies:

Subsidy Item Can they be received simultaneously?
Childcare Allowance ✅ Available
Birth Incentives in Various Counties and Cities ✅ Available
Infant Care Allowance ✅ Available
Living Assistance for Children from Low-Income Households ⚠️ Subject to County and City Regulations
Living Assistance for Children and Adolescents from Lower-Middle-Income Households ⚠️ Subject to County and City Regulations

Help Channels

Channels Explanation
113 Protection Hotline 24-hour help for domestic violence and child abuse
1957 Welfare Consultation Hotline Social Welfare Information Consultation
Social Affairs Bureaus in Various Counties and Cities In-person consultation and application
Legal Aid Foundation Free legal consultation (02-412-8518)

⚠️ The above information is subject to the latest announcement from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Social and Family Affairs Administration.

FAQ

Q: Can divorced single mothers apply?

A: Divorce itself does not directly constitute a special circumstance. However, if the reason for the divorce involves domestic violence (with a protection order in place) or the former spouse's refusal to support the children (which can be considered abandonment), then it may qualify. It is recommended to consult the social affairs department of the local government office with relevant documents.

Q: Can I receive this allowance and the childcare allowance at the same time?

A: Yes. The special circumstances family living allowance and the childcare allowance are different types of subsidies (one is for emergency assistance and the other is for raising children), and you can apply for and receive both at the same time.

Q: Is 3,235 yuan per month enough for every child?

A: Yes. Each eligible child is calculated independently, and the amount will not decrease as the number of children increases. Two children will receive a total of $6,470 per month, three children will receive a total of $9,705 per month, and so on.

Q: What household income level qualifies?

A: The average monthly per capita income of a household must not exceed 2.5 times the local minimum living allowance. Standards vary by county and city; for example, the threshold is higher in Taipei City (approximately NT$49,123 per person per month) and lower in other parts of Taiwan Province (approximately NT$35,575 per person per month). Specific figures are subject to the announcement of the current year.

Q: Can a child who is over 18 years old continue to receive benefits?

A: If a child is 18 years of age or older but still enrolled in school (high school, university, or graduate school), they can apply for an extension until graduation, up to a maximum age of 25. Proof of enrollment is required annually for eligibility verification. The extension will cease upon leave of absence or withdrawal from school.

Q: Can I apply for divorce if I am a victim of domestic violence but am not yet divorced?

A: Yes. As long as a court protection order (or a police report of domestic violence) is obtained, even if you are not divorced and are separated, you will meet the criteria for a family in special circumstances. It is recommended that you call the 113 protection hotline for assistance first.

Q: Does the application require the consent of a former spouse?

A: No. Special circumstances family assistance is a social welfare program designed to protect vulnerable families. Applications do not require the consent of the former spouse, nor does it require notification of the former spouse. The township office will review the applications based on the documents provided by the applicant.

Q: If the economic situation improves, should we proactively stop?

A: Eligibility reviews are required annually. If your family's financial situation has improved (income exceeds the threshold or you no longer meet the special circumstances criteria), the subsidy will be discontinued during the review. If you have received an overpayment due to failure to disclose it, you may be required to return it.

Q: Can foreign spouses (new residents) apply?

A: Yes. Anyone who has obtained Republic of China citizenship or legal residency status and meets the special circumstances and income thresholds can apply. Many new immigrants are eligible due to the death of their spouse or domestic violence.

Q: Besides living allowances for children, are there any other forms of assistance available to families in special circumstances?

A: There are many options, including: emergency living assistance (3 months' living expenses), children's education subsidies (tuition and fees waived), medical subsidies for injuries and illnesses, legal aid (up to NT$50,000), and interest subsidies for business loans. It is recommended to inquire with the social affairs department of your local government office about all eligible programs at once.

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The information on this site is compiled from public government sources. Actual eligibility is determined by the issuing authority. We do not process applications on your behalf and do not charge any fees.

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