New round of state welfare card benefits to cover 14.5 million Thais
About 14.5 million low-income earners will be eligible for benefits under the new round of the state welfare card scheme, the Finance Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry will propose the plan for this year’s first round at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, said minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
After approval from the Cabinet, he expects to disburse the benefits from April 1 onward.
So far, around 22 million people have registered under the scheme. However, only 14.5 million low-income earners have passed the criteria and are eligible for the benefits, Arkhom said.
The list of eligible registrants can be checked at welfare.mof.go.th once the Cabinet approves the scheme.
Arkhom said about 8 million people who are not qualified will have 60 days after the list is published to file their petition of appeal at Krungthai Bank.
“If their petitions are approved, people in this group will also retroactively receive benefits that have been disbursed before,” he added.
Existing holders of the card can use their leftover benefits until the Finance Ministry announces the end of the previous round. If they are still qualified for the scheme, they will automatically be entitled to benefits under the new round. Those no longer qualified for the scheme after the previous round ends will have one month to use their leftover benefits.
To be eligible for the scheme, candidates must have Thai nationality, be over 18 years of age, earn less than 100,000 baht per year, and have financial assets (deposit, bonds, etc) worth less than 100,000 baht. The size of their house must not exceed 25 square wah (100 square metres), or 35 square metres for an apartment. Their land for agricultural use must not exceed 10 rai (1.6 hectares), or 1 rai for non-agricultural use.
Previous rounds of welfare card benefits included a 300-baht monthly cash handout, 500-baht credit for public transport, discounts for cooking gas and utility bills, and additional cash handout for the disabled and elderly.
