Bangkok: The government is preparing to extend the appeals period for the "State Welfare Card" program, emphasizing that it will not let those truly in need miss out on the system. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government has reviewed the criteria for the state welfare card, aiming to screen out "truly poor" individuals to ensure they receive targeted benefits and that budget allocations reach those most in need. This comes after the data had not been updated for 4-5 years. As a result, the review will allow for the inclusion of over 2.3 million people who were previously overlooked or are genuinely in need into the system.
According to Thai News Agency, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the government is listening to all suggestions and complaints from the public, especially regarding allegations of fraudulent claims for benefits. The government is urgently reviewing the criteria to screen out ineligible individuals and improving the appeals process to make it more convenient and fairer. This includes extending the appeals deadline and soliciting factual information from the public to inform a thorough review of eligibility.
The Ministry of Finance is currently revising the regulations to better reflect the living conditions of the people, such as in the case of owning older vehicles, in discussions with the Ministry of Transport to determine appropriate and fair guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has established one-stop service centers at every district office to facilitate identity verification, requests for rights review, and fact-checking. Individuals whose data was used without their consent can request a review of their eligibility, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Legal action will be taken decisively against those who misuse personal data for fraudulent gain.
The government is reviewing the state welfare system, aiming to provide more targeted and specific assistance to the public. This will be achieved through careful data verification and screening, while providing opportunities for those affected to clarify the facts through appeals processes. This ensures fair consideration of eligibility and leads to improvements in criteria and operational mechanisms to align with current circumstances. The state welfare card is only one measure of government assistance; citizens can still access over 72 other welfare benefits, including elderly allowances, disability allowances, and educational welfare.