Jungnang-gu to Expand 'Seoul-type Basic Security System'

Relaxation of Support Obligation Criteria for Seniors Aged 75 and Over... Both Phone and In-Person Consultations Conducted, Receiving Great Response from Seniors

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is making every effort to provide welfare for elderly citizens facing difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The district is expanding the 'Seoul-type Basic Security System,' which relaxes the support obligation criteria for elderly citizens aged 75 and older.

The district's main focus is on abolishing the 'support obligation' item for households with elderly citizens aged 75 and above in the existing 'Seoul-type Basic Security System' selection criteria. This aims to actively identify and support 10,577 low-income elderly households comprising 11,942 individuals who have been excluded from legal support due to not meeting the support obligation criteria despite facing financial difficulties.

Applicants need to bring their ID and residence contract and visit the local community service center in their residential area. Applications are currently being accepted, and to practice social distancing, a five-day system is in place: those whose birth year ends in 1 or 6 can apply on Monday, 2 or 7 on Tuesday, 3 or 8 on Wednesday, 4 or 9 on Thursday, and 5 or 0 on Friday.

For elderly citizens with mobility difficulties, applications can be made via telephone consultation, and welfare planners conduct home visits for consultations, receiving great positive responses from the elderly.

The eligibility criteria require income below 43% of the median income, which is 755,593 KRW for a single-person household and 2,042,145 KRW for a four-person household.

The support includes livelihood benefits and childbirth/funeral benefits, with the maximum support amount being about half of the customized livelihood benefits: 263,580 KRW for a single-person household, 448,800 KRW for two-person households, 580,590 KRW for three-person households, and 712,380 KRW for four-person households.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and extended rainy season have made life even harder for low-income elderly citizens. We hope that the expansion of the 'Seoul-type Basic Security System' will help those low-income elderly who have regrettably not met the criteria to find stability in their lives."

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