Keelung City social welfare budget faces conflicting reports

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the social welfare budget for Keelung City for the upcoming fiscal year. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Keelung City Branch has criticized the city government, alleging a significant reduction in social welfare funding. According to the DPP, budgets for five key areas—including childbirth incentives, support for low-income households, elderly care, and disability services—are projected to drop from approximately 1.1 billion TWD to 528 million TWD, a decrease of over 50 percent.

Specific cuts highlighted by the DPP include a 73 percent reduction in social insurance premium subsidies for people with disabilities and a 52.8 percent decrease in living allowances for low-income elderly residents. The city government has responded by stating that despite compressed revenue sources, it remains committed to ensuring citizen welfare remains uninterrupted.

In contrast, the Keelung City Social Affairs Department reported a planned increase in its specific budget, stating that social welfare resources are expected to rise from 3.81 billion TWD in 2026 to 4.42 billion TWD in 2027. The department emphasized growth in areas such as women's welfare, elderly care through smart technology, and expanded services for people with disabilities, including the upcoming launch of an innovation base for the disabled.