Days of heavy rain wrecked fish ponds around Tainan, and the government is now paying out cash aid — good news for hit farmers, though the paperwork bar is high.

• Tainan is officially declared a disaster area for late-August heavy rain, covering all fish pond farming.
• Farmers can apply for cash aid and low-interest loans at their district office from 26 August through 8 September.
• Only ponds with damage of 20% or more qualify, and farmers must already be registered and have filed their stocking reports.
• Farmers should photograph the whole pond and the damage before cleaning up, and keep receipts for fry, feed, and shipments as proof.
• The loan route needs a disaster certificate first, then an application to a farmers' or fishermen's credit unit within 30 working days.

Outlook: Payouts should start flowing once inspectors finish assessing damage, easing the cost of restocking ponds.