Department of Information Technology

On July 18, Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the press conference announcing the reinstatement of Double Ninth Festival cash gifts for senior citizens. He pointed out that he is glad to see the elderly dancers showcasing their vitality during the opening performance and announced that the Taipei City Council have given the green light to the NT$1,500 cash gift to qualified senior citizens.

The mayor pointed out that Taipei City has become a super-aged society and home to the largest senior population among the six direct-rule municipalities. Individuals above the age of 65 account for20.9% of the city’s population (510,000 people). The number is expected to reach 550,000 by the end of the year. On a positive note, this indicates that advances in medical care allow people to live longer and healthier.

According to the Chiang, the cash gift is a symbol of care and respect for senior citizens. The administrative team have also discussed with city agencies, borough chiefs, and elderly individuals on how to ensure fast and convenient delivery of the gift to senior citizens. The conclusion is that there will be multiple channels for recipients to choose from. These include wiring directly to one’s bank account, in-person pickup at selected locations, and top-up for concessionaire EasyCard. 

For the EasyCard top-up option, eligible senior citizens can visit any of the four major convenience store chains (7-eleven, FamilyMart, OK Mart, and Hi-Life) near their home to complete the process.

In addition to the reinstatement of the Double Ninth Festival cash gift, the mayor also announced that the city government will hold a series of festival-related activities for senior citizens, including senior citizens award ceremony, largescale stage events, and services for the elderly. He also took the opportunity to promote measures that assists senior citizens in their daily life, including around-the-clock emergency response system and simple home maintenance and repair.