Gangwon-do Expands Eligibility Age for 'Basic Childcare Allowance' Starting This Year

Annual payments by age 1, up to 'under 8 years old' in 2026

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province, as part of the 8th term governor's election pledges, will gradually expand the existing 'Childcare Basic Allowance,' which was previously supported only for children under the age of 4, to children under the age of 8 in connection with the government's 'Parent Allowance' initiative.

Gangwon Provincial Government

According to the province on the 8th, under the previous system, children aged 3 this year would no longer be eligible for the childcare allowance once they turned 4. However, through the revision of the 'Ministry of Health and Welfare Social Security Consultation and Ordinance,' the allowance can now be received up to the age of 8.

Therefore, for children aged 0 to 11 months, the Parent Allowance (not supported by the Childcare Basic Allowance) will be provided, and for those aged 1 to 3, the existing monthly Childcare Basic Allowance of 500,000 KRW will be paid. However, only this year, children receiving the 700,000 KRW Parent Allowance will also receive 200,000 KRW of the Childcare Basic Allowance.

Starting with children born in 2019 who turn 4 this year, children aged 4 to 5 will receive 300,000 KRW per month, and those aged 6 to 7 will receive 100,000 KRW per month.

Meanwhile, the province plans to hold a 'Childcare Policy Talk Show with the Governor!' with beneficiary parents to help residents easily understand the expanded and revised details. This event will take place in Gangneung on the 11th and will tour other regions such as Wonju in March.

A provincial official stated, "During the new Gangwon administration's 8th term, we will continuously promote the expansion of payments up to children under 10 years old to create a child-friendly Gangwon and actively respond to the low birthrate issue and the crisis of regional extinction."

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