Seodaemun-gu, First Payment of Social First Step Allowance to 14 Children Aging Out of Care

Seoul District First to Provide 200,000 Won Monthly for 3 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) paid the 'First Step into Society Allowance' for the first time among Seoul's autonomous districts to 14 'children aging out of care' in the area on the 20th.

These recipients are children who pre-applied for the allowance from the 22nd of last month to the 8th of this month.

'Children aging out of care' refers to those who have lived in welfare facilities without parental care and must become independent upon turning 18. (The 'Child Welfare Act' defines a child as a person under 18 years old.)

Seodaemun-gu enacted the 'Ordinance on Support for Children Leaving Child Welfare Facilities' in February this year and finalized it in April after consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Accordingly, the district supports 'children aging out of care' with a monthly 'First Step into Society Allowance' of 200,000 KRW for three years, the first such program among Seoul's autonomous districts.

This allowance can be applied for at any time. Applicants must attend the 'Independent Living Education for Children Aging Out of Care' lecture on the 'Korea Inclusive Finance Agency Financial Portal,' print out the 'Cyber Lecture Completion Certificate,' and bring it along with their ID to the Child and Youth Division at the district office (located on the 5th floor of Hong Eun 2-dong Community Service Center).