Welfare rules spark backlash

Govt officials defend eligibility screening

A wave of public criticism has erupted over the government’s revised eligibility criteria for the state welfare card programme, under which parents may lose their entitlement to benefits if their children claim tax deductions for parental support.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the issue was not anticipated by the government, but confirmed that no changes would be made to the current round of screening because the registration process had already been completed. Feedback received would instead be used to improve future iterations of the programme.

The controversy centres on a provision under the revised criteria whereby parents whose names are used by their children to claim tax deductions for parental support may lose eligibility for the state welfare card, commonly known as the welfare card for low-income earners.

Asked whether the government would review the rule following criticism that it was excessively restrictive, Mr Anutin said some issues were inevitable in programmes serving around 30 million people.

“There will be both satisfied and dissatisfied groups. We will collect feedback and, where shortcomings arise from matters we had not fully anticipated, we will make improvements,” he said. “This is not the only economic stimulus programme we will undertake. We will continue introducing measures that benefit the public.”

However, he stressed that the current criteria would remain in place because the process was already underway and additional registrations were no longer possible.

Although he said he had not personally encountered complaints during visits to local communities. “The government remained ready to improve the scheme to ensure welfare benefits reached those most in need,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas also addressed the issue, saying the Ministry of Finance was reviewing the concerns but emphasising that the primary objective of the welfare card scheme was to identify and assist genuinely disadvantaged individuals.

“The key priority is helping people who are truly in hardship, particularly those who have been left outside the welfare system for many years,” he said.

According to Mr Ekniti, the Finance Ministry has asked the Interior Ministry to conduct surveys to identify vulnerable groups not currently covered by the programme.

Meanwhile, Finance Ministry spokes­- man Vinit Visessuvanapoom said the government would continue screening applicants under criteria already approved by the cabinet for the 2026 state welfare card programme.

He said the latest reform does not alter the core eligibility rules but changes the screening methodology from assessing household income to evaluating individuals, with the aim of more accurately identifying low-income and vulnerable citizens.

Regarding tax deductions for parental support, Mr Vinit said the principle was based on information showing that a parent has a recognised caregiver. If a child claims a tax deduction for supporting a parent, the information is considered relevant when assessing welfare eligibility.

However, he acknowledged that some cases might not reflect the actual circumstances, including situations in which parents are unaware that their names have been used for tax deductions or do not receive genuine financial support from their children. In such cases, the ministry is prepared to consider appeals and additional evidence.

“There is no intention to deprive genuinely vulnerable people of assistance,” he said. “Our objective is to ensure support reaches those facing the greatest hardship first.”

The Finance Ministry opened registration and eligibility confirmation for the 2026 state welfare card programme yesterday. Existing cardholders must reconfirm their eligibility under the updated criteria between June 4 and 21. Screening results will be announced on July 17, with unsuccessful applicants able to lodge appeals. Benefits can be used from Aug 1.

The government estimates that around 13 million people currently hold state welfare cards.