Identifying Single-Person Households Missing from Public Support Welfare Network → Expert Customized Counseling → Connection and Support for Necessary Services
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 21st that it will launch the ‘Single-Person Household Counseling Helper’ project starting in May to identify single-person households isolated due to the disruption of social interactions caused by COVID-19 or facing economic crises, provide counseling, and connect them with necessary services.
Professional ‘Single-Person Household Counseling Helpers’ specializing in psychological and vocational counseling and case management will target vulnerable residential areas such as rooftop rooms, goshiwons, and basement floors to discover single-person households overlooked by the public welfare support network. Through continuous counseling and case management, they will identify the needs of the individuals and provide tailored support such as job placement.
As COVID-19 prolongs, difficulties faced by single-person households are intensifying. Social networks that shared daily life have been interrupted, accelerating isolation and increasing the likelihood of being in environments lacking information and self-care. According to Statistics Korea’s ‘Employment Status of Dual-Income and Single-Person Households,’ the employment rate among single-person households has gradually decreased from 61.6% to 59.6% over the past four years. In particular, many are experiencing severe economic hardship due to job losses caused by COVID-19 and remain in welfare blind spots, making self-reliance difficult.
Applications for the Single-Person Household Counseling Helper will be accepted from the 22nd until April 4th through the 50 Plus Center Portal. After screening, a total of 41 people will be selected. Anyone aged 50 to 67 who is a Seoul citizen with counseling-related certifications and at least one year of experience in a related field can apply. Selected helpers will work for seven months from May to November and receive a monthly activity allowance of 525,000 KRW (based on 57 hours).
The Single-Person Household Counseling Helpers will operate at district welfare centers and single-person household support centers. They will be responsible for discovering single-person households, counseling, case management, and service linkage. In particular, they will provide customized job information for youth, middle-aged, and women single-person households seeking employment. By connecting with public education and training institutions, they will enhance the employment capabilities of single-person households and support their economic independence. They will also assist single-person households in attending self-help groups run by welfare centers or single-person household support centers to help expand their diminished social networks.
Lee Hae-seon, Head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Special Task Force for Single-Person Households, stated, “In these challenging times caused by COVID-19, the ‘Single-Person Household Counseling Helper’ is expected to contribute to building a social safety net by discovering single-person households hidden in welfare blind spots and providing them with the essential services they need to live independently without hardship.” She added, “We will continue to support single-person households who are struggling but not visible, helping them achieve emotional and economic self-reliance.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
