Jeonnam Province Abolishes 'Support Obligation Criteria for Basic Livelihood Security Recipients'

Benefits for Over 4,000 Low-Income Households Starting from October

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province will abolish the 'Support Obligation Criteria for Basic Livelihood Security Recipients' starting in October.

According to the province on the 28th, the basic livelihood security benefit is a system designed to guarantee the minimum living standards and support the independence of low-income households facing difficulties.

To be selected as a recipient, the recognized income amount of the applicant household (income evaluation amount + income conversion amount of assets) must be 30% or less of the median income standard.

From next month, if the income and asset criteria of the applicant for the livelihood benefit are met, they can receive the livelihood benefit regardless of the income and assets of their parents or children.

However, if the support obligor has a high annual income of 100 million won or more, or is a high-asset individual exceeding 900 million won, the support obligation criteria will continue to apply.

Originally scheduled to be abolished in 2022, the implementation has been moved up to October to strengthen the protection of existing recipients struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and to eliminate blind spots in poverty.

With this relaxation of criteria, about 4,000 low-income households who have not received support despite economic difficulties such as job loss are expected to receive livelihood benefits.

As of this month, there are 75,000 households and 100,000 people receiving basic livelihood security in Jeonnam Province, of which about 62,000 are eligible for livelihood benefits.

Woo Hongseop, head of the Social Welfare Division of Jeonnam Province, said, “We will do our best to identify eligible recipients to help alleviate the difficulties of low-income households who have had trouble receiving support due to the support obligation criteria despite facing livelihood difficulties.”

For detailed inquiries regarding the abolition of the support obligation criteria for basic livelihood security benefits, please contact the city/county or eup/myeon/dong community service centers at your registered address, or the Health and Welfare Counseling Center (129).