Gochang-gun Invests 12.6 Billion Won to Promote 'Welfare Projects for the Disabled'

Published 09 Feb.2022 10:21(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk announced on the 9th that it will invest 12.6 billion KRW this year to promote the ‘Welfare Project for Persons with Disabilities.’

The welfare project for persons with disabilities consists of care support services to maintain and support the daily lives of persons with disabilities.

The disability pension provides a basic monthly benefit of up to about 300,000 KRW, increased by 2.5% compared to the previous year.

The county will raise the allowance for severely and mildly disabled children, which is provided to children with disabilities under 18 years old who are basic livelihood security recipients or belong to the near-poverty class, by 10,000 to 20,000 KRW to help stabilize the economic life of families with disabled children.

In addition, the county will reduce the caregiving burden on families by increasing the support unit price and extending the hours for disability activity support services and expanded care for severely disabled children.

In particular, to guarantee meaningful daytime hours for adults with developmental disabilities, the county has expanded support for daytime activity services.

Even if benefits decrease due to conversion to long-term care recipients for the elderly after age 65, activity support services will continue to be provided.

Until now, childbirth costs were supported only for women with disabilities, but starting this year, support will also be provided to families with male disabled spouses to reduce the medical expenses burden on families with disabilities.

The county plans to increase opportunities for social participation of local persons with disabilities by utilizing community resources such as disability welfare centers, independent living support centers for severely disabled persons, daytime care centers, vocational rehabilitation facilities, and sheltered workshops for persons with disabilities.

Wages for participants in disability employment aimed at income security and social participation of persons with disabilities will also be raised by 5% based on full-time employment.

Especially, the Jeonbuk-type rights-centered customized public jobs for severely disabled persons, promoted as a pilot project this year, will provide labor opportunities guaranteed by the constitution to the most severely disabled persons (10 people) who have almost no economic activity opportunities.

The mandatory certification target for barrier-free living environments will also be expanded.

Even if not subject to certification, the county plans to actively promote barrier-free real-life environments from the design stage to ensure their establishment.

New projects this year will include events such as the ‘Disability Human Rights Harmony Festival’ (Disability Human Rights Film Festival, Disability Cultural Arts Performances, etc.).

In addition, various projects will be carried out to stabilize the lives of persons with disabilities, including blood dialysis fees, wheelchair repair costs, disability registration diagnosis and examination fees, Hi-Pass terminal purchase costs, and distribution of disability newspapers for registered persons with severe kidney disabilities.

Jo Jeongho, head of the Social Welfare Division, said, “I hope this year will be a better year for persons with disabilities and their families, and we will do our best to support them so that they can fully play their role as members of the county by listening to the voices of persons with disabilities.”