Residents of a small rural township in central Taiwan are set to receive cash from both their local government and the central government, a welcome cushion for farmers and shopkeepers squeezed by rising prices.

• Zhutang Township in Changhua plans to give every one of its 13,800 residents NT$3,000, at a total cost of about NT$42 million.
• The township council is reviewing the funding today, and if it passes, the money could land by the end of September.
• Combined with President Lai Ching-te's newly announced NT$10,000 national cash handout, each resident could collect NT$13,000.
• Township head Tsai Shuo-jen said the plan was drawn up back in July as a response to global conditions and high living costs, not a copy of the central government's move.
• The township can afford it: it holds over NT$320 million, with roughly NT$200 million free to spend after regular expenses, so public works will not be affected.

Outlook: If the council signs off today, the local payments start flowing within weeks, ahead of the nationwide handout.