Monthly Self-Reliance Allowance Increased to 400,000 Won... Emotional and Psychological Support Also Strengthened

Government Announces Supplementary Measures to Support Youth Preparing for Independence

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The government will raise the self-reliance allowance paid to young adults preparing for independence, whose protection in childcare facilities or foster families has ended, to 400,000 KRW per month starting next year and will strengthen emotional and psychological support programs.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a supplementary support plan for young adults preparing for independence, jointly with related ministries, containing these measures.

This plan aims to establish a comprehensive support system across all stages of protection (young adults preparing for independence, extended protection children, and children under protection) and to strengthen cooperation with the private sector. Children under protection are those cared for in childcare facilities or foster families until the age of 18, and if they choose to extend protection, they become extended protection children (up to age 24). Young adults preparing for independence are those aged 18 or older who are preparing for independence after the end of protective measures, including extended protection.

Shin Kkot-sigye, Director of Population and Child Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "Previously, policies were mainly created focusing on young adults preparing for independence, but this plan supplements that by enabling extended protection children and children under protection to prepare for independence as well."

Earlier in August, in Gwangju, there were consecutive incidents of children who had aged out of protection making extreme choices. Following this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare gathered opinions from young adults preparing for independence and experts through meetings and prepared this plan. On-site feedback highlighted the need to establish a self-reliance preparation system for children before aging out of protection, strengthen emotional support systems, and enhance public-private cooperation.

Self-Reliance Allowance Increased by 50,000 KRW... Strengthening Economic Support

First, the government will expand economic support for young adults preparing for independence. The current monthly self-reliance allowance of 350,000 KRW will be increased to 400,000 KRW starting next year, with plans to consider further gradual increases. The government will also recommend local governments raise the self-reliance settlement fund from the current 8 million KRW to 10 million KRW.

Song Yang-su, Director of the Child Rights Division, explained, "Considering the current economic conditions, we proposed an additional increase in the self-reliance settlement fund. Regarding the self-reliance allowance, previous surveys of young adults preparing for independence, actual condition surveys, and expert opinions indicated that an average of around 350,000 to 400,000 KRW was appropriate, which was reflected in this decision."

Housing support, which is fundamental to independence, will also be strengthened. The government plans to prioritize supplying 2,000 public rental housing units annually to young adults preparing for independence and to expand the free support period for jeonse rental deposits from those aged 20 and under to those aged 22 and under.

To provide psychological stability and emotional support, activity expenses for the self-help group 'Baramgaebi Supporters' have been newly established. Although Baramgaebi Supporters existed before, this is the first time activity expenses have been provided. Next year, 120 members will receive 100,000 KRW per month. Baramgaebi Supporters are composed of young adults preparing for independence and serve as a self-reliance mentoring group providing mentoring and home education to children under protection.

Support for Extended Protection Children and Children Under Protection Equivalent to Young Adults Preparing for Independence

Support for extended protection children will be strengthened to be equivalent to that for young adults preparing for independence. Extended protection children will be included in the customized case management target group, which receives counseling at least once a month and case management fees. Additionally, support projects in areas such as psychological counseling and job assistance will be made available to extended protection children.

Specialized programs for extended protection children will also be introduced. Based on the analysis of extended protection children’s needs and examples of excellent public and private programs in the first half of next year, the government plans to produce and distribute a 'Specialized Program Development and Operation Manual.' The programs are expected to cover housing and economic areas as well as daily life, employment, and psychological and emotional fields.

A support system will be established to enable children under protection, whose protection has not yet ended, to prepare effectively for independence. The self-reliance preparation programs provided annually to children under protection will be enhanced to expand experiential activities and be tailored appropriately according to each child’s age and characteristics.

In particular, a management system will be established for 'early termination children' whose protection ended before age 18 due to returning to their original family or unauthorized departure. The government plans to establish a legal basis in the second half of next year to provide self-reliance support and follow-up management for early termination children. Through this, child protection officers will manage them before age 18, and dedicated self-reliance support agencies will manage or connect them to manageable institutions for five years after age 18.

The government will also provide mentoring, legal advice, and economic and financial education to young adults preparing for independence through cooperation with various private organizations.

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