When a worker suffers from occupational accident and is diagnosed by the doctor that he/she needs to use assistive devices like wheelchair, back brace, walker or elastic garment, the worker may apply for subsidy in accordance with the Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as "Act"). The target, items, and amount of the subsidy are clearly defined in the Act. To apply for the subsidy, you only need to fill out an application form, along with supporting documents including a certificate of diagnosis, original invoice or receipt and so on, which makes the application procedure simple and easy to follow. This subsidy is additional coverage to the Occupational Disaster Insurance, which can reduce the financial burden of workers after suffering an occupational accident and facilitate their recovery and promptly return to the job market.

The Ministry of Labor stated that the assistive device subsidy has been increased from 105 items under the Act for Protecting Worker of Occupational Accidents to 116 items, the additional items including the subsidy for denture and others. The Ministry of Labor has also increased the subsidy amount for 20 items which are more commonly applied for, for instance, the subsidy for the back brace has been increased from NT$8,000 to NT$10,000, the knee brace from NT$3,000 to NT$6,000, and the customized wheelchair from NT$15,000 to NT$25,000. Furthermore, except for adding non-listed items that can also be applied for subsidies under project application, the maximum amount of subsidy per person per year was also increased from NT$60,000 to NT$100,000. From the effective date of the Act to September 2024, the number of beneficiaries who received higher amounts of subsidies under the new Act is 369, accounting for 35% of the total 1,056 beneficiaries.

The Ministry of Labor added that, taking into account the recovery status of the workers of occupational accidents, their needs for different assistive devices at different stages and their financial burden, and also considering the efficiency of the use of assistive devices, the Ministry of Labor allows workers to apply for the subsidy for listed devices or to apply for the subsidy for non-listed devices under the project application, regardless of whether they have acquired the devices by purchasing or renting them. This will help to reduce the financial pressure on workers to bear the one-time high cost. Once the workers recover, they can return the devices, so that these devices can be utilized effectively by the workers who really needed them.

For example, Ms. Chao was injured in a motorcycle accident on her way to work and was diagnosed by the doctor that she had to use a wheelchair for 3 months. Considering that she may only use the wheelchair for a short period of time, she could just return the wheelchair after using it and there was no need for her to buy a new wheelchair, so she rented a wheelchair. After Ms. Chao pays the rental fee to the local assistive device resource center, she may fill in the application form for assistive device subsidy and apply to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the subsidy of rental assistive device together with the supporting documents such as the certificate of diagnosis and the bill of payment.

For information on how to apply for the assistive device subsidy and the required documents, please visit the official website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or contact the Occupational Accident Labor Protection Division for assistance (Tel: 02-89956666 ext. 8287, website: https://www.osha.gov.tw).