Yongsan-gu Expands Support Eligibility for Low-Income Households

Yongsan-gu to Implement 2020 Basic Livelihood Security Project... Standard Median Income Increased by 2.94% Compared to Previous Year... Eligibility Criteria for Benefits in Livelihood, Medical, Housing, and Education Also Raised

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) is expanding the support targets for customized benefits (social security benefits) for low-income households in accordance with the increase in median income (hereinafter median income) based on 2020.

The median income is the median value of national household income. According to Article 20, Paragraph 2 of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act, the ‘Central Livelihood Security Committee,’ chaired by the Minister of Health and Welfare, deliberates and resolves this.

This year, it increased by 2.94% compared to the previous year. For a single-person household, it is 1,757,194 KRW; for a two-person household, 2,991,987 KRW; for a three-person household, 3,870,577 KRW; for a four-person household, 4,749,174 KRW; for a five-person household, 5,627,771 KRW; and for a six-person household, 6,506,368 KRW.

The median income is also the selection criterion for recipients of customized benefits such as livelihood, medical, housing, and education benefits. If the recognized income is 30% or less of the median income, livelihood benefits can be received; 40% or less, medical benefits; 45% or less, housing benefits; and 50% or less, education benefits.

Livelihood benefits are provided in the amount obtained by subtracting the household’s recognized income from the selection criterion amount (30% of the median income). For a family of four, the maximum is 1,424,752 KRW. Last year, the district paid 18.23726 billion KRW (60% national funds, 28% city funds, 12% district funds) as livelihood benefits to low-income households. This year, the related budget is 22.6224 billion KRW.

Medical benefits cover the full cost of eligible items excluding the recipient’s co-payment. However, pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses co-payments are supported up to a maximum of 600,000 KRW (single fetus) to 1,000,000 KRW (multiple fetuses). This year, the district has allocated a medical benefits budget of 255.65 million KRW (50% national funds, 50% city funds).

Education benefits are provided by the city education office. The district plans to regularly transfer only the required district budget (50.88 million KRW) according to the contribution rate (12%) to the education office.

Housing benefits cover monthly rent or housing improvement costs for low-income households. The district has allocated a related budget of 13.95816 billion KRW this year (60% national funds, 28% city funds, 12% district funds).

In addition, the district guarantees the basic livelihood of low-income residents through ▲ childbirth, funeral, and self-support benefits ▲ Seoul-type basic security system ▲ health insurance premium support ▲ holiday consolation money payments, among others.

Benefit applications are accepted year-round at the 16 local community service centers under jurisdiction. Afterwards, the district office conducts an integrated investigation of income and assets, notifies the applicant of the benefit decision, and benefits are paid regularly every month.

Fraudulent receipt is also prevented through regular and occasional verification investigations. The district plans to fully recover any benefits confirmed to have been fraudulently received. If necessary, criminal charges may also be filed.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “In addition to the increase in median income, there have been changes in the system this year, such as the relaxation of the support obligation criteria for severely disabled persons, application of earned income deductions, and increase in basic property deductions. We will inform residents of these and expand the support targets.”

Social Welfare Division (☎2199-7093)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.