Bangkok: The State Welfare Board is set to convene tomorrow to reassess the criteria for the state welfare card, focusing on the issue of child tax deductions that disqualify parents from receiving benefits. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, highlighted that while this specific criterion will be reviewed, other existing criteria will remain unchanged.
According to Thai News Agency, the impetus for this review stems from the Prime Minister's directive to address the disqualification of parents whose children utilize tax deductions for child support. This issue will be a primary focus at the upcoming meeting of the Committee on Public-Private Partnership for the Grassroots Economy and Society. The current system automatically disqualifies parents when children use their names for tax deductions, regardless of the children's actual financial contributions, leading to the loss of necessary financial support for these parents. The government plans to adjust the criteria to better align with this reality.
Over the past several years, public concerns have been raised regarding perceived unfairness in the allocation of state welfare cards. Out of 13.2 million current cardholders, some are not genuinely in need, while many disadvantaged individuals remain without access to welfare benefits. Ekniti stated that the focus of the review is to better identify and support those who are truly in need. The Ministry of Interior will conduct fieldwork to find affected individuals who have been overlooked by the system. Criteria concerning real estate, land, and bank deposits will remain consistent with the 2022 standards.
When questioned about the duration of the revised criteria, Ekniti noted that the eligibility reviews were previously conducted every five years, with the last in 2022. However, with more comprehensive data now available, a review is warranted to ensure transparency. The government aims to address instances where individuals not in genuine need exploit the system, while those struggling do not receive benefits. Thus, a stricter screening process is necessary.
In response to concerns about store closures affecting cardholders, Ekniti admitted he has not received an official report but is prepared to investigate further, ensuring that public welfare card usage continues without disruption.