Nowon-gu Expands Eligibility for 'Independent Living Allowance for Care-Leaving Children'

Monthly Support of 300,000 KRW for Children Aging Out of Care After 18... Targeting Children Within 3 Years of Leaving Child Welfare Facilities or Foster Care

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced on the 27th that it will expand the support targets for the ‘Independent Living Allowance for Children Aging out of Care,’ which has been implemented since April last year.

The ‘Independent Living Allowance for Children Aging out of Care’ is a system that provides a monthly allowance of 300,000 KRW to alleviate the economic burden of children who have lived in facilities without parental care and must become independent upon turning 18, helping them to settle stably in society.

Previously, the support was limited to children in welfare facilities caring for many children and foster care children, but from 2020, children in temporary child protection facilities and child protection treatment facilities are also included in the support targets.

Applications were only accepted from children within 2 years of aging out of care, but starting this year, children within 3 years of aging out of care can also apply.

The support targets are children who have aged out of child welfare facilities or foster care within 3 years after May 2017, who are over 18 years old and whose protection has ended. Additionally, as of the protection end date, the child must have been continuously under care for at least 2 years.

For those expected to age out of care, pre-application is possible from 30 days before the protection end date. If a facility worker applies on behalf of the child, the application can be submitted to the resident center of the district where the facility is located. If foster care children or children who have aged out of facility care apply directly, they can submit their application to the resident center of their registered address.

To apply, applicants must take the ‘Independent Living Education for Children Aging out of Care’ lecture on the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency’s financial portal (http://edu.kinfa.or.kr), print the certificate of completion, and submit it along with the application form for the allowance and an ID card.

For related inquiries, contact the Child Protection Team of the Child and Youth Division at Nowon-gu Office or the child welfare officer at the local resident center.

Last year, the district sent guidance letters on the support procedure to 27 children who met the selection criteria and provided 52.2 million KRW in support to 25 eligible children.

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