Are there any government subsidies for assistive devices for elderly people?
There are two types of eligibility for application:
- “Disabled Elderly” refers to those who meet the criteria of the Ten-Year Long-Term Care Plan.
- “Persons with Disabilities” must hold a disability identification card.
If you do not meet either of these criteria, please first apply for eligibility certification (contact the Long-Term Care Center or local township/district office where you are registered).
If you qualify for both categories, you may choose the more advantageous option, but you cannot apply for the same item under both programs.
The subsidy amount is subject to each city or county’s “Subsidy Item List” and “Assistive Device Subsidy Standards for Persons with Disabilities”, and is limited to the actual purchase price.
For example:
Mr. Chen, an ordinary household resident in Taipei City, qualifies as both a “Disabled Elderly” person and a “Person with Disabilities.”
He wants to purchase a wheelchair costing 5,000 NTD. Which subsidy should he choose?
According to the subsidy standards, the maximum subsidy for a wheelchair under the “Disabled Elderly” category is 4,167 NTD, with a 70% subsidy rate for ordinary households, resulting in a subsidy of 2,917 NTD.
For “Persons with Disabilities,” the maximum subsidy for a lightweight wheelchair is 4,000 NTD, with a 50% subsidy rate for ordinary households, resulting in a subsidy of 2,000 NTD.
If the wheelchair price is 5,000 NTD, Mr. Chen should choose the “Disabled Elderly Assistive Device Subsidy” and only pay 2,083 NTD out of pocket.
Be sure to ask clearly which option is more cost-effective before applying!