"Unmarried Fathers' Children Eligible for Child Allowance and Childcare Fees Application Before Birth Registration"

Welfare Ministry to Improve System Following Single Fathers' Group Proposal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Mr. Kim (male, 36 years old) is a 'single father' raising his 2-year-old son alone. Working at a local business, Mr. Kim wanted to send his son to a daycare center during working hours, but faced difficulties applying for childcare fee support as he was waiting for court confirmation for the birth registration. However, from the 15th of this month, the system has been improved to allow childcare fee support even before birth registration. Mr. Kim said, "I was very anxious while waiting for the court confirmation, which could take an unknown amount of time for my son's birth registration, but I am glad that I can now receive childcare support and send him to daycare even before the birth registration."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 18th that for children of single fathers who have difficulty with birth registration, the system has been improved to allow payment of child allowance, childcare fees, and home care allowance even before birth registration if certain conditions are met.

Originally, child allowance and care allowance could be applied for only after birth registration was completed, and payments were made from the month of application.

Currently, single fathers can register the birth after receiving confirmation from the family court, but since the court confirmation takes a considerable amount of time, payments of child allowance, childcare fees, and home care allowance were restricted during the same period.

With this system improvement, even before birth registration, if a single father submits documents proving that they are undergoing procedures such as genetic testing with the child or court confirmation for birth registration to the local town, township, or neighborhood community service center, the local government can verify the actual child-rearing status, assign a social welfare electronic management number, and pay child allowance, childcare fees, and home care allowance from the month of application.

Additionally, after payment of child allowance, the local government will regularly check and monitor the progress of birth registration procedures such as court confirmation and the child-rearing situation until the single father's child is officially registered.

An official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "We hope this measure will contribute to improving child welfare as a step to protect the rights of children of single fathers who face difficulties with birth registration and to create a healthy growth environment."

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