Applications for Social Security Benefits Now Possible at Nearby Welfare Centers and Medical Institutions

Ministry of Health and Welfare to Conduct Pilot Projects This Year at 34 Institutions Nationwide

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] In the future, elderly job and social activity support projects can be applied for not only at community centers but also at nearby welfare centers or medical institutions.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 19th that it will implement a pilot project for social security benefit applications involving 34 private institutions in 18 cities, counties, and districts nationwide until the end of this year.

This pilot project includes participation from 14 comprehensive social welfare centers, 12 senior welfare centers, 5 disability welfare centers, and 3 medical institutions nationwide. From the 19th, applications for three types of support?elderly job and social activity support, childbirth cost support for women with disabilities, and medical expense support for cancer patients?are available, and from the 30th, four additional types?customized elderly care services, disability activity support, language development support, and support for families raising children with disabilities?will be added.

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, visited the Seoul Yangcheon-gu Municipal Sinmok Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, a participating institution in the pilot project, to hold a plaque ceremony for the social security benefit application support institution and held an on-site meeting with the staff in charge.

Vice Minister Lee said, "Through this pilot project, which expands the locations where vulnerable groups can apply for benefits, we expect accessibility to social security benefits to be significantly improved," adding, "We hope that social welfare centers and medical institutions, which directly interact with socially disadvantaged individuals, will discover those in need of welfare services and connect them to applications, thereby expanding the provision of welfare services."