Gyeonggi-do Strengthens Support for 'Winter Survival of Cold Wave Vulnerable Groups'

Inspection of Heating Cost Support for Welfare Facilities Targeting Low-Income and Elderly Living Alone
Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting Held... Identification of Vulnerable Households and Preparation of Customized Measures

Gyeonggi Province held the "3rd Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting" at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 12th to assess the crisis trends among vulnerable groups within the province and discuss effective winter support measures. [Gyeonggi Province]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province is strengthening support for vulnerable groups to get through the winter by identifying households at risk in the welfare blind spots during the winter season and providing heating cost assistance to low-income families.

With a cold wave advisory (warning) issued and severe cold weather expected, the province announced on the 13th that it plans to "make every effort to establish a winter welfare safety net to minimize cold wave damage."

First, the province will continue to operate an emergency welfare crisis counseling hotline and designate religious organizations and real estate agents as "honorary social welfare officers" to help identify at-risk households.

Additionally, it will implement customized measures for vulnerable groups susceptible to cold waves during winter, such as the elderly, disabled, and homeless.

For the elderly, heating costs will be supported for low-income senior households and senior centers, while for the homeless, a street homeless response team will be operated to provide emergency medical support and conduct safety inspections of homeless facilities.

In particular, due to the increase in fuel prices compared to last year?indoor kerosene by 41.3% and heating city gas by 37.8%?energy vouchers (164,414 households), kerosene vouchers (84 households), and briquette coupons (2,567 households) will also be provided to reduce heating costs for socially disadvantaged groups.

The province plans to supplement existing measures by comprehensively reviewing the issues discussed at the '3rd Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting' held on the 12th and feedback from the field, and apply them to future cold wave response support.

Yeom Tae-young, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs, said, "Winter is a time when seasonal unemployment and increased heating and clothing costs add to the burden of living expenses," adding, "Let us work together with cities, counties, and related organizations to ensure a safe and warm winter for all residents."

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