Taiwan Unemployment Benefit (勞工保險 失業給付)

Taiwan does not run a separate unemployment insurance scheme; the unemployment benefit is delivered as the 失業給付 branch of 勞工保險 (Labor Insurance). Workers with sufficient Labor Insurance contributions who lose their job involuntarily receive a portion of their average insured wage for a set period. The mental model is broadly similar to Korea's Employment Insurance unemployment benefit.

Eligibility

• Labor Insurance contributions: at least 1 year of employment-insurance premiums paid in the 3 years before unemployment.
• Involuntary separation: redundancy, business closure, end of fixed-term contract (renewal refused by employer), unpaid wages, or other reasons not attributable to the worker.
• Capacity and willingness to work: fit to work and actively seeking re-employment.
• Public placement: register as a job seeker with the local 就業服務站 (public employment service station) and must not refuse suitable referrals.

Benefit level and duration

• Amount: about 60% of average insured wage (up to around 70% with dependants).
• Standard duration: typically 6 months.
• Extended duration: may be extended to 9 months for those aged 45+ or with disabilities, when conditions are met.
• A supplement (typically 10% per dependant, up to two dependants) is added.
• Earning above a threshold from short-term work during the benefit period leads to deduction or suspension.

How to apply

• After job loss, visit the 就業服務站 with ID, separation certificate, Labor Insurance card, and a bank book.
• After a 14-day waiting period, the first payment is made; benefits then continue monthly subject to certified job-search activity.
• Late registration shortens the total payable period accordingly.

Related programmes

• 職業訓練生活津貼 (Vocational Training Living Allowance): separate living-cost support while attending a government-approved training course.
• 提早就業獎助津貼 (Early Re-employment Bonus): if you find work while benefit days remain, you can receive a portion of the unused entitlement as a lump sum.
• Some collateral relief — partial NHI premium relief, reduced National Pension contributions — may also apply.

From an immigrant perspective

• Foreign workers in legal employment are insured under Labor Insurance and are technically eligible after involuntary separation, but in practice the work visa often ends with the job, which limits the ability to claim.
• APRC holders and citizens are treated like nationals.
• Korean Employment Insurance unemployment benefits are a separate system and cannot be combined with Taiwan's. If you return to Korea, wind up Korean Employment Insurance separately.

Things to watch

• Voluntary resignation is generally not eligible.
• Fraudulent claims (fake job-search reports, undisclosed earnings) are subject to clawback, surcharges, and criminal liability.
• Benefit rates, durations, and insured-wage ceilings are typical 2026 levels and may change.

Official guidance: 勞動部 勞工保險局 (BLI), 台灣就業通 (Taiwan Jobs)