Ministry of Health and Welfare Increases Emergency Welfare Support Fuel Allowance from 110,000 to 150,000 Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunju Lee] The Ministry of Health and Welfare will increase the emergency welfare support fuel allowance from 110,000 KRW to 150,000 KRW per month. This is to support crisis households struggling with rising heating costs.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a plan to raise the emergency welfare support fuel allowance based on this policy. The emergency welfare support program provides assistance with living expenses, medical care, and housing to 'emergency support recipients' who face urgent help needs due to loss of income caused by the main or secondary income earner's unemployment, making it difficult to maintain their livelihood.

The Ministry plans to provide an additional 40,000 KRW per month for fuel costs among the types of emergency support through the revision of the 'Emergency Support Amount and Property Total Amount Standards' notice. Emergency support households can receive 150,000 KRW per month for fuel costs from February 22, 2023, to March 31, 2023, and from October 1 to December 31, 2023, the effective dates of the notice. This increase reflects the 38.5% rise in residential heating rates. The Ministry has been supporting fuel costs during the winter season (January to March, October to December) for emergency support households receiving living and housing assistance.

Emergency support recipients can request assistance at their local city, county, or district office. Anyone who identifies an emergency support recipient should report to the local city, county, or district office, and emergency welfare support consultations are available through the Health and Welfare Counseling Center (dial 129 without area code). Chung-Hyun Jeong, Welfare Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “We expect this measure to somewhat alleviate the heating cost burden for crisis households,” and added, “We will continue to strive to strengthen emergency welfare support.”