However, because the criteria for approval for social assistance are quite strict in Taiwan, part of the population that falls into the lowest fifth of the country in terms of income is not, despite their difficult circumstances, eligible for assistance, because they are able to work, have assets, or have family support. These are the "near poor."
不過，由於我國社會救助審核標準嚴格，部分處於「五等分位所得」級距最低層的人口，生計雖困苦，但因具備工作能力、資產、撫養親屬等要件，無法得到社會救助，而成為近貧者（near poor）。