Bangkok: The Cabinet has decided to exclude the criteria for tax deductions related to parents and farmers' debt from the welfare card program's eligibility requirements for 2026. This decision aims to ensure that more individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and have been previously excluded, can benefit from the state welfare system.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Vinit Visetsuwannapoom, the Director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, announced that on July 14, 2026, the Cabinet approved several proposals under the 2026 State Welfare Registration Project. The proposals, submitted by the Committee on Public-Private Partnership for Grassroots Economy and Society, emphasize revising the eligibility criteria to be more inclusive.
The Cabinet's approval means that individuals who previously could not access state welfare due to claiming tax deductions for parental support will now be eligible. Additionally, agricultural loans totaling 100,000 baht or more will not be considered when evaluating eligibility for welfare benefits. The project will also expand its target group to include 5.4 million vulnerable individuals identified by the Ministry of Interior during the registration period in June 2026.
Those qualifying under the new criteria for 2026 will begin receiving state welfare benefits at different times: existing cardholders from August 1, 2026, and new cardholders from October 1, 2026. This schedule aligns with other government assistance projects. The committee will verify all applicants' qualifications based on the revised criteria, with results announced on July 17, 2026, through multiple platforms, including the official welfare website and several partner banks.