Gwangjin-gu Support for Lease Fees and Self-Reliance Settlement Funds (10 Million KRW) for Care-Leaving Children

Published 26 Jan.2023 07:01(KST)

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District

From this year, economic support is strengthened by budgeting for ‘rental fees’ and ‘self-reliance settlement funds’

Up to 200,000 KRW per month for rental fees for one year, and 10 million KRW for self-reliance settlement funds

Existing self-reliance allowances also provided together, serving as a strong support for the first steps into society

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) will provide additional support for ‘rental fees’ and ‘self-reliance settlement funds’ starting this year to help children aging out of care become independent and settle stably in society.

Children aging out of care refer to those who have lived in child welfare facilities or foster families and have reached the age of 18, when care ends. In Gwangjin-gu, 43 children aging out of care are preparing to stand on their own.

The district currently provides a self-reliance allowance of 200,000 KRW per month for up to 60 months for children aging out of care. In addition, starting this year, separate from government support, the district has budgeted for rental fees and self-reliance settlement funds to strengthen economic assistance.

Considering that the most needed support after aging out of care is ‘a place to live,’ rental fees of up to 200,000 KRW per month will be paid into individual accounts for one year. This applies to children who have been registered residents of Gwangjin-gu for at least three months as of the application date and whose care ended after August 2018.

Furthermore, a self-reliance settlement fund of 10 million KRW will be provided once a year to help rapid social settlement. Applicants must have been registered residents of the district and actually residing there for at least six months as of the care termination date. However, this is only available to those who aged out of care after January 2023 and have been continuously under care for more than two years prior to the termination date.

Children aging out of care who wish to apply should submit the application form, ID, bankbook copy, and other required documents to the local community service center of their residence.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “We have strengthened economic support to reduce the difficulties children aging out of care face during their independence process. This will serve as a strong support so that children taking their first steps alone into society can grow into healthy members of society.”