Number of Single-Parent Families Receiving Monthly 230,000 Won Child-Rearing Subsidy to Increase by 10,000 Next Year

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Expands 2026 Budget for Single-Parent Family Support
Eligibility Raised from "63% or Less of Median Income" to "65% or Less"
Child-Rearing Subsidy for Single Mothers and Fathers, Grandparent-Grandchild Families

The number of single-parent families receiving monthly child-rearing support of 230,000 won from the government is expected to increase by 10,000 next year. In addition, the child-rearing allowance for single mothers and fathers, grandparent-headed families, and young single parents will be raised from the current 280,000 won to 330,000 won.

On September 11, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that it had drawn up the “2026 Single-Parent Family Budget Plan” reflecting these changes. Accordingly, next year’s budget for single-parent family support will total 626 billion won, an increase of 35.4 billion won (6.0%) from this year’s 590.6 billion won.

The budget plan includes: ▲expanding the eligibility and increasing the amount of welfare benefits such as child-rearing support for single-parent families; ▲expanding legal, medical, and housing support for single-parent families; and ▲improving the collection of advance child support payments.

Looking at the details, the eligibility for single-parent family welfare benefits will be expanded next year from households earning 63% or less of the median income to those earning 65% or less. As a result of this measure, the number of children receiving the monthly child-rearing allowance of 230,000 won is expected to increase by 10,000 next year.

The child-rearing allowance for single mothers and fathers, grandparent-headed families, and young single parents (aged 25 to 34) will be increased from 280,000 won per month to 330,000 won per month. In addition, the annual school supply allowance for each elementary, middle, and high school student will be raised from 93,000 won to 100,000 won.

Legal, medical, and housing support will also be expanded. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will increase the budget for the “Free Legal Aid for Single-Parent Families” program, which provides legal counseling and litigation representation to single-parent families earning 125% or less of the median income, from 492 million won to 632 million won. As a result, the number of legal aid cases supported is expected to increase from 1,500 this year to 1,900 next year.

Additionally, the living allowance provided to families residing in single-parent family welfare facilities will be increased from 50,000 won per month to 100,000 won per month. The number of public rental housing units secured through Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and other sources will be increased from 326 to 346 to strengthen the housing stability foundation for single-parent families to achieve self-reliance.

The ministry also plans to prevent situations where child support is not received from non-custodial parents by upgrading the system to conduct “income and asset investigations of advance payment obligors” and diversifying “methods of seizure.”

Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Won Minkyoung, stated, “I understand the difficulties single-parent families face in raising children and participating in economic activities alone, as well as the challenges of not receiving child support on time,” adding, “With the expanded budget for 2026, we will work to reduce the child-rearing burden, ensure the enforcement of child support payments, provide housing support, and create an environment where single-parent families can become self-reliant.”

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