Expanding Support Scope for Childcare and Medical Expenses for Adolescent Parents

Announcement of Strengthened Support Measures for Parenting and Self-Reliance of Adolescent and Single Parents
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Launches Pilot Project Providing Childcare Expenses to Adolescent Parents up to Age 24
Gradual Expansion of Medical Expense Support for Adolescent Mothers from Age 19 to 24
Type 2 National Employment System Adds Adolescent Parents Aged 15-17 to Support Eligibility

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] A pilot project to provide child-rearing expenses to youth parents under the age of 24 will be implemented. The medical expense support for young mothers will also be expanded from under 19 to under 24 years old.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced the "Measures to Strengthen Support for Youth Parents and Single Parents in Childcare and Self-Reliance" at the 21st Social Relations Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office.

Youth parents refer to households where either parent or the single parent is 24 years old or younger. As of 2019, there were an estimated total of 8,000 youth parent households, and as of September this year, 2,477 youth single-parent households. These individuals experience pregnancy and childbirth during adolescence and face difficulties in childcare, employment, and education. In particular, youth single parents have been left in blind spots as support was only focused on their children.

To strengthen academic and economic self-reliance and childcare support for youth parents and single parents, the government plans to launch a pilot project as early as next year to provide child-rearing expenses to youth parents. The national support rate for using childcare helpers will be expanded from a maximum of 85% to 90%. The government is also considering giving priority admission to daycare centers for youth parents and single parents.

Kim Gwan-young, Family Policy Officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, explained, "The pilot project for child-rearing expenses for youth parents will initially target low-income youth parents with a median income of 60% or less," adding, "The specific scale, amount, and timing of support are currently under consultation with the Ministry of Finance."

To reduce the medical expense burden before and after childbirth for youth parents and single parents, the age eligibility for medical expense support for young mothers (1.2 million KRW per pregnancy) will be gradually expanded from under 19 to under 24 years old. The usage period for medical expenses will be extended from 1 year to 2 years after childbirth, and the coverage will be expanded from pregnancy and childbirth-related medical expenses to all medical expenses.

To assist with academic and economic self-reliance, support will be provided for maintaining school enrollment, qualification exams, and learning counseling for youth parents and single parents. The government is considering excluding parental income when calculating income for national scholarships and plans to prioritize Type 2 national scholarships for university student youth single parents.

Integrated case management will also begin to comprehensively support the services needed by youth parents and single parents for their self-reliance. Support will be provided through local family centers or key institutions related to unmarried parents. Employment support will be strengthened by adding youth parents aged 15 to 17 to the target group for Type 2 of the National Employment Support System (for youth aged 18 to 34).

Policy Officer Kim said, "Type 1 of the National Employment Support System selects youth aged 18 to 34, but those aged 15 to 17 are not included in this age range, making it difficult for them to receive support," adding, "We plan to improve this so that youth parents and single parents aged 15 or 17 can receive support, but since the age is specified in related laws, legal amendments are necessary, and review by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the competent authority, is required."

To support housing for youth single parents, the use of single-parent family welfare facilities will be expanded to include youth single parents who are divorced or widowed, in addition to unmarried mothers. The number of rental housing units will also increase from 189 units last year to 222 units this year and 245 units next year.

Furthermore, to strengthen the connection between youth support institutions and family support institutions, a consultative body among support institutions will be operated, and the policy foundation for youth parents and single parents will be reinforced through inclusion campaigns, surveys, and statistical compilation.

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said, "This measure is the first youth parent policy announced after the revision of the 'Youth Welfare Support Act,' which specifies the concept and support basis for youth parents," adding, "We will ease the burden on youth parents who are responsible for raising their children, and create an environment that supports the growth of youth themselves and the self-reliance of their families."