How to Apply for Long-Term Care Assistive Device Subsidies? 40,000 NTD Every 3 Years, Copayment by Status, Wheelchairs, Electric Beds, etc.
Long-Term Care 2.0's "Assistive Device Services and Home Barrier-Free Environment Improvement Services" are subsidies provided by the government to help disabled individuals purchase assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, electric beds, air mattresses, walkers) or improve home accessibility (such as handrails, ramps). The subsidy amount is 40,000 NTD every 3 years, with copayment based on welfare status: 70% subsidy for general households, 90% for low- and middle-income households, and full subsidy for low-income households. Application requires assessment by the Long-Term Care Management Center. The following summarizes the target groups, amounts, procedures, and common assistive devices. This is neutral information, not medical or legal advice.
What are long-term care assistive device subsidies? What do they cover?
It helps cover the costs of assistive devices and home barrier-free improvements for disabled individuals:
- Part of Long-Term Care 2.0's four major services: "Assistive Device Services and Home Barrier-Free Environment Improvement Services," assisting in purchasing assistive devices or improving home environments
- Commonly subsidized assistive devices: wheelchairs, electric beds, air mattresses (for pressure sore prevention), walkers, transfer equipment, stair climbers, etc.; home barrier-free improvements such as installing handrails, removing thresholds, bathroom slip-proofing, setting up ramps, etc.
- The goal is to make life safer for disabled elderly at home and reduce caregiver burden, not a medical treatment itself
How much subsidy? 40,000 NTD every 3 years, copayment by status
The amount and copayment ratio depend on welfare status:
- Amount: Maximum subsidy of 40,000 NTD every 3 years (individual assistive device items have their own payment caps and usage periods)
- General households: 70% of the payment cap subsidized, 30% out-of-pocket; low- and middle-income households: 90% subsidized, 10% out-of-pocket; low-income households: full subsidy
- The same item cannot be claimed under both long-term care and disability assistive device subsidies; the two systems have different conditions, and you can choose the applicable one based on your status
How to apply? First, assessment by the Long-Term Care Management Center
The process requires assessment first, then purchase or installation, not purchase first and then claim:
- Call the Long-Term Care Service Hotline 1966 or contact the local Long-Term Care Management Center to request a long-term care service assessment
- A care manager or therapist will conduct a home assessment to determine needs and approve subsidizable assistive device items and home improvement content
- Purchase assistive devices or carry out barrier-free improvements based on the approved results, then submit receipts for reimbursement according to regulations; actual procedures and documents follow local Long-Term Care Management Center regulations
Who can apply? Target groups and notes
Primarily disabled individuals who have been assessed, with several key points:
- Targets are disabled individuals who have undergone long-term care needs assessment and meet the eligibility for long-term care services (no specific age limit, as long as disability conditions are met)
- It is recommended to "assess first, then purchase" — purchasing without prior approval may result in no subsidy; rental or purchase, as well as item specifications, may also have regulations
- If you also hold a disability certificate, you can compare the two subsidy systems for long-term care and disability assistive devices and choose the better option for individual items, but the same item cannot be duplicated
Combine with other long-term care resources
Assistive device subsidies are often used alongside other long-term care services for more comprehensive care:
- Can be combined with long-term care services (home services, day care), respite services, etc. This site also has pages on "Long-Term Care Subsidies," "Respite Services," and "Home and Community Care" for cross-reference
- If considering hiring a foreign caregiver or entering an institution, you can also assess family care manpower and environmental needs
- Summary: Assistive device and home barrier-free subsidies have a maximum of 40,000 NTD every 3 years, with copayment by status. Remember to contact 1966 or the Long-Term Care Management Center for assessment. Actual amounts, items, and procedures are subject to local Long-Term Care Management Centers and the latest announcements. This page provides neutral information, not medical or legal advice
FAQ
What is the amount of long-term care assistive device subsidies? How often can one apply?
The subsidy for Long-Term Care 2.0's "Assistive Device Services and Home Barrier-Free Environment Improvement Services" has a maximum of 40,000 NTD every 3 years, with copayment based on welfare status: 70% subsidy for general households, 90% for low- and middle-income households, and full subsidy for low-income households. Individual assistive device items have their own payment caps and usage periods. Actual amounts are subject to approval by the local Long-Term Care Management Center and the latest announcements. This page provides neutral information, not medical or legal advice.
What items can be subsidized under assistive device subsidies?
Commonly subsidized assistive devices include wheelchairs, electric beds, air mattresses, walkers, transfer equipment, stair climbers, etc.; home barrier-free improvements include installing handrails, removing thresholds, bathroom slip-proofing, setting up ramps, etc. The actual subsidized items and specifications will be assessed and approved by care managers or therapists based on the disabled person's needs.
How to apply for assistive device subsidies? Can I purchase first and then apply?
It is recommended to "assess first, then purchase." First, call the Long-Term Care Service Hotline 1966 or contact the local Long-Term Care Management Center to request an assessment. A care manager or therapist will conduct a home assessment and approve the items. Then purchase or install, and submit receipts for reimbursement according to regulations. Purchasing without prior approval may result in no subsidy. Actual procedures follow local regulations.
Can general households apply for long-term care assistive device subsidies? How much do they need to pay out-of-pocket?
Yes. Long-term care assistive device subsidies are not limited to low-income households; general households are also eligible, but with different copayment ratios: general households receive 70% of the payment cap and pay 30% out-of-pocket; low- and middle-income households pay 10%; low-income households receive full subsidy. As long as the long-term care needs assessment qualifies, you can apply.
Can long-term care assistive device subsidies and disability assistive device subsidies be claimed together?
The same assistive device item cannot be claimed twice. Long-term care assistive devices and disability assistive devices are two different systems with different conditions. If you qualify for both, you can compare individual items and choose the better option, but you cannot claim the same item from both. It is recommended to consult the Long-Term Care Management Center or Assistive Device Resource Center for confirmation.
Where to apply and who conducts the assessment?
You can call the Long-Term Care Service Hotline 1966 or contact the local Long-Term Care Management Center to request a long-term care service assessment. A care manager or therapist will assess needs and determine subsidizable items. Many counties and cities have Assistive Device Resource Centers that provide consultation, display, and rental services. Actual contact points and procedures are subject to local announcements.
· This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not medical, legal, tax, or admission advice. For actual regulations and services, please refer to official announcements from competent authorities and the institutions themselves.