Bangkok: The Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) has announced the launch of the '2026 Welfare Card' program, initiating a door-to-door effort to help the elderly and disabled review their eligibility from July 17-31.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, emphasized the urgency of the 2026 State Welfare Card program during a recent virtual meeting with key officials. The meeting underscored the Prime Minister's concern for vulnerable groups, prompting a coordinated effort across all districts to facilitate the welfare registration process. The initiative aims to ensure comprehensive access to government benefits for groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and bedridden patients. The Director-General highlighted that 18,820,784 individuals registered for the program, with around 9.5 million found eligible. The remaining 9.3 million individuals did not initially meet the criteria but will have opportunities to appeal their eligibility.
In an effort to streamline the verification process, the Director-General has directed districts and local administrative bodies to utilize all available channels to publicize the e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) verification process. Additionally, a One-Stop Service (OSS) coordination center has been established to support the implementation of the welfare registration project. The public can verify their eligibility through designated applications, the project website, and five state-owned banks. Eligible participants are categorized into two groups: existing cardholders who need to register for utility bill exemptions and new eligible individuals who must complete identity verification to access benefits from October 1, 2026.
For those ineligible under the initial criteria, an expedited review process is available through multiple channels, including digital applications and state-owned banks. Local authorities are mobilizing task forces to conduct outreach, verify eligibility, and facilitate home visits for citizens with limited mobility, ensuring no one is left without their entitlements.
Moreover, the Department of Provincial Administration is providing detailed registration data to assist in planning field visits and addressing public concerns. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called for expedited services to support vulnerable groups, emphasizing the importance of direct access to government welfare benefits. The Director-General has expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort across sectors and urged the implementation of measures to ensure timely completion of identity verification and rights review processes.