Applying for the subsidy
The long-term care equipment subsidy has two groups, depends on your status, and needs approval before you buy or rent. This page sets out how the groups differ, the status categories, the documents and what to avoid
Long-term care equipment subsidy Four numbers first
- 40,000Group one, traditional NT$ limit every 3 years
- 60,000Group two, smart technology NT$ limit every 3 years, up to 20,000 for home accessibility work
- 1 of 2You choose one group
- 17Group two rental only from 2026-07-01 Items in the first approved batch
Per Ministry of Health and Welfare notices, data as of 2026-09-17 · Amounts are limits; the actual subsidy depends on status and approval · Ministry of Health and Welfare release (2026-07-01, Chinese)
Applying for a subsidy In this order
Approval first, then buy or rent
- 01
Call 1966 to apply
Or contact your city or county long-term care management centre; for a family member in hospital, the discharge planning service can start it before they go home
- 02
A care manager assesses
A home visit sets the long-term care level; if equipment is needed, an assistive device assessor confirms the items and writes a report
- 03
Approval arrives
The approval notice lists the items and the allowance you can use; choose and order only after it arrives
- 04
Buy or rent from a contracted shop
The invoice must be dated after approval; in some areas the contracted shop deducts the subsidy up front and you pay your share
- 05
Claim
The invoice and documents are submitted under local rules, and the allowance is drawn down
Equipment bought before approval cannot be claimed afterwards
Choosing a group
| Group one: traditional | Group two: smart technology | |
|---|---|---|
| Limit every 3 years | NT$ 40,000 | NT$ 60,000 (up to NT$ 20,000 of it for home accessibility work) |
| Buy or rent | Buy or rent | Rental only from 2026-07-01 |
| What it covers | Traditional equipment and home accessibility work | First batch of 17 approved items in four categories: mobility, washing and toileting, home care beds, safety monitoring |
| Who qualifies | Approved after the care manager's assessment | Long-term care level 2 or above, confirmed by a Class A assistive device assessor |
| Can both be used | Choose one | Choose one |
Share paid by status
| Status | Subsidy | Your share |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1: registered low-income or lower-middle-income households, or eligible for the first tier of the middle-to-low-income senior living allowance | The full price cap | 0% |
| Category 2: eligible for the second tier of that allowance, or for the living allowance for people with disabilities | 90% of the price cap | 10% |
| Category 3: everyone else | 70% of the price cap | 30% |
Where an item's purchase or rental price is above its price cap, the difference is paid by the applicant
Documents to prepare
An example checklist; your city or county long-term care management centre's notice decides
When applying
- ID card and NHI card of the person needing care
- Low-income or lower-middle-income certificate, if applicable
- In hospital: contact the discharge planning service first
At the assessment
- Equipment already used at home
- Rough measurements of doors, stairs and bedside space
- The daily movements that are hardest, such as getting out of bed or using the toilet
When buying or renting
- The approval notice
- An invoice from a contracted shop, dated after approval
- The warranty and, for medical devices, the licence number
When claiming
- The local application form and the invoice
- In some areas the contracted shop handles it
Three things to avoid
Buying before approval
Equipment bought or rented before approval cannot be claimed afterwards
Going over the price cap
Anything above the item's price cap is paid by the applicant
Mixing the groups
Group one and group two are a choice of one, never both
Sources (data as of 2026-09-17, in Chinese)
- Ministry of Health and Welfare: smart technology equipment rental scheme starts (2026-07-01)
- Social and Family Affairs Administration assistive device portal: long-term care equipment and home accessibility services
- TFDA: selling medical devices through mail-order and online channels
- Miaoli County long-term care office: items bought before assessment and approval are not subsidised
- Taoyuan City health bureau: buy or rent from a contracted shop within six months of the approval notice