TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Holders of an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate qualify to receive a NT$10,000 (US$328) cash handout from the government once the program starts next month, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Saturday.

The statement came the day after the Presidential Office promulgated amendments boosting resilience in the face of US tariffs, including the handout plan, per CNA. The premier’s words were the first reference to the involvement of foreign residents after uncertainty about whether they would qualify.

In his statement, Cho referred to previous government cash handouts. As before, the current program will cover APRC holders, he said. The premier explained to reporters that their inclusion had led the total budget for the handouts to increase NT$1 billion to NT$236 billion.

The idea for the handout originated with the opposition and initially met with government criticism. Opposition lawmakers used their majority to raise the budget for the resilience package from NT$545 billion to NT$570 billion without including the government-proposed aid for Taiwan Power Company.

Cho said the Legislative Yuan is scheduled to discuss the budget for the handouts next week. Once lawmakers approve the plan, the program can start within a month and come to an end seven months later.