Dongjak-gu Supports Health and Hygiene Products for Low-Income Female Adolescents

Applications accepted until December... Monthly 11,000 KRW, up to 132,000 KRW annually voucher provided... After applying, receive the National Happiness Card to purchase at nationwide online and offline stores

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Chang-woo Lee) will support health and hygiene products (sanitary pads) for low-income female adolescents to promote their healthy growth until December.

The district has been implementing this project since 2016, providing in-kind support, but since last year, considering the convenience of adolescents, it has been providing support through vouchers.

The eligible recipients are female adolescents aged 11 to 18 (born between 2002.1.1 and 2009.12.31) who are ▲ recipients of livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits ▲ legally designated low-income groups ▲ beneficiaries under the Single-Parent Family Support Act, among others.

The district provides 11,000 KRW per month, up to 132,000 KRW annually, divided into the first and second half of the year, and the funds can be used until the end of this year.

The application period is from this month until December, and if there is no change in eligibility after applying, support continues without reapplication until the year the recipient turns 18.

Applicants or their guardians can apply at their local community service center with an ID card, and applications are also possible through the ‘Bokjiro’ website (http://www.bokjiro.go.kr) and the application. However, online and mobile applications require a digital certificate.

Once the application is completed, a National Happiness Card will be issued, which can be used to purchase products at affiliated stores nationwide both online and offline.

Last year, the district supported approximately 588 million KRW to enable 961 female adolescents to purchase health and hygiene products.

For more details, contact the Child and Youth Division at ☎820-9660.

Joo-il Park, head of the Child and Youth Division, said, “Through this project, we hope to protect the health of adolescents and further build social consensus on guaranteeing health rights,” adding, “We will continue to promote projects to improve the welfare of adolescents.”

For the mental health of adolescents, the district operates the Youth Counseling Welfare Center (☎834-1355) for at-risk youth aged 9 to 24 residing in Seoul, and their parents, providing ▲ individual and group counseling and psychological testing ▲ self-support and rehabilitation support to enhance youth independence ▲ emergency rescue and medical support for youth who have suffered violence or abuse ▲ and parent education.