Strengthening Measures to Prevent Welfare Benefit Fraud... Simplifying Income and Asset Investigation Scope for Near-Poor Recipients

Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the National Basic Living Security Act Approved at the Cabinet Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Ahead of the full abolition of the support obligation criteria for livelihood benefits under the Basic Livelihood Security Program next year, measures to prevent fraudulent claims are being strengthened. For the near-poor, the scope of income and asset investigations can be simplified compared to recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the "Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act," which includes these provisions, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 22nd. The amended enforcement decree is scheduled to take effect on the 1st of next month.

First, starting next month, assets disposed of by beneficiaries to others will be included in the scope of assets converted into income regardless of the period. Previously, only assets disposed of within the past five years from the investigation date were included.

Also, when investigating assets to calculate the recognized income amount for the near-poor, items with relatively low practical benefits among general asset categories can be excluded to set a different scope of investigation. Among the general asset categories under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act, 'livestock, seeds, machinery and equipment, and other movable properties designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare' are excluded from the investigation scope for the near-poor.

Min Young-shin, Director of the Basic Livelihood Security Division, stated, "This amendment to the enforcement decree is part of the preparations for the full abolition of the support obligation criteria for livelihood benefits under the Basic Livelihood Security Program next year," adding, "We will do our best to minimize fraudulent claims while protecting those in need."

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