Chungnam Province to Add 1,500 Basic Livelihood Benefit Recipients Next Year
Approximately 1,500 More Residents in Chungnam to Become Eligible for Basic Livelihood Benefits
Standard Median Income Raised for 2026
Expanded Deductions and Relaxed Vehicle Asset Criteria to Improve Access
On August 18, the Chungnam Provincial Government announced that, following the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s decision to raise the standard median income, approximately 1,500 additional residents in the province are expected to become newly eligible for basic livelihood benefits.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare finalized the 2026 standard median income during the 77th Living Security Committee meeting held on July 31. For a four-person household, the standard median income was set at 6,494,738 won, a 6.51% increase from this year’s 6,097,773 won. For a single-person household, it was raised by 7.2%, from 2,392,013 won to 2,564,238 won.
The eligibility threshold for basic livelihood benefits remains set at 32% of the median income, the same as this year. Accordingly, in 2026, the threshold for a single-person household will be 820,556 won, and for a four-person household, it will be 2,078,316 won. The actual support amount is calculated by subtracting the recognized household income from these thresholds, so the final amount varies depending on each household’s circumstances.
The province expects that these policy improvements will expand the number of beneficiaries and help address coverage gaps.
Deductions for youth earned and business income will be expanded, and asset criteria related to vehicles will be relaxed, making it easier to access basic livelihood benefits. Next year’s budget for basic livelihood benefits in Chungnam Province is expected to be approximately 389.3 billion won, an increase of 8.4 billion won compared to this year.
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Meanwhile, the National Basic Livelihood Security System is designed to guarantee a minimum standard of living and support self-reliance. Residents can apply after consultation at their local eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare centers. Applicants are selected as beneficiaries if they meet the criteria following income and asset assessments.
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