Seoul Jung-gu: First Monthly 30,000 KRW Transportation Support for Low-Income Severely Disabled in Seoul

Severe disabilities registered in Jung-gu as of the application date, for National Basic Livelihood Security recipients and near-poverty disabled persons, can apply at the local community service center from the 20th, with initial payment scheduled for August 20.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) is the first in Seoul to provide a practical guarantee measure to reduce the economic burden of low-income persons with severe disabilities in the area by supporting a monthly transportation allowance of 30,000 KRW.

According to the 2017 Disability Survey results released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the average additional monthly expense due to disability is 165,000 KRW, of which transportation costs account for 25,000 KRW. In particular, the average monthly transportation cost for persons with severe disabilities is 27,000 KRW, which is a higher additional expense compared to persons with mild disabilities.

Although Jung-gu has fewer registered persons with disabilities compared to other areas, physically disabled and visually impaired individuals, who are transportation-vulnerable, account for 57% of the total registered disabled population.

Accordingly, the district has been striving to prepare support measures for transportation-vulnerable persons as part of expanding disability policy services.

After consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare in June last year and a meticulous preparation process including ordinance enactment, the transportation allowance support for low-income persons with severe disabilities has been initiated.

The eligible recipients are those registered in Jung-gu as of the application date with 'severe disabilities' who are recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security or belong to the next lower income bracket for persons with disabilities. However, those who are long-term hospitalized or institutionalized are excluded from the payment.

From the 20th of this month, applications can be submitted by visiting the local community service center of the applicant’s jurisdiction. When applying in person, applicants must bring an ID card and a copy of a bankbook in their name. Spouses, children, siblings, or others may apply on behalf of the applicant, and for persons with severe disabilities who have difficulty visiting the community center due to mobility issues or mental/physical impairments, considering the COVID-19 social distancing situation, related officials are encouraged to process applications ex officio.

The district will verify eligibility and make the first payment on August 20. Eligible recipients will receive 30,000 KRW monthly for transportation costs on the 20th of each month. Applicants in July will receive a retroactive payment for July at the time of the first payment.

For more details, inquiries can be made to the local community service center’s welfare team in the applicant’s residential area.

In March, the district opened a Disability Family Support Center to provide care services and programs tailored to the characteristics and needs of families with disabled members. It also supports disability awareness education for children, customized cultural and artistic education for adults with developmental disabilities, and has been operating a non-face-to-face exercise program for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses since April, receiving positive evaluations for its various disability support measures.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused great pain and inconvenience felt by persons with disabilities and their families. We will not neglect to prepare policies reflecting their living conditions and needs for the socially vulnerable who are more affected in this crisis, and we will do our best to create a happy Jung-gu where persons with disabilities and their families can all live well."

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