TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet will on Thursday approve a NT$550 billion (US$16.8 billion) “Resilience Special Budget,” with nearly half earmarked for universal cash handouts.

The plan sets aside NT$236 billion for payouts, NT$150 billion for resilience projects, NT$113 billion for defense and industry support, and NT$71 billion for social programs. Another NT$20 billion will be reserved depending on international developments, per CNA.

Funding will come from NT$444.4 billion in surplus revenue and NT$105.6 billion in borrowing.

The finance ministry will receive NT$250 billion to cover handouts, boost consumer spending, and ease trade financing. The defense ministry is allocated NT$113.2 billion for upgrades to communications, command systems, and cybersecurity. And the economics ministry will take NT$46 billion to support manufacturers facing US tariffs, offer SME loan guarantees, and subsidize overseas marketing.

The law underpinning the plan runs from March 12, to Dec. 31, 2027, with the cash handouts required to begin within one month of the budget’s publication and finish within seven months.