Gyeonggi Province received applications from 3,554 individuals, accounting for 98.7% of the recruitment target, for the 'Disabled Nureum Account' program aimed at providing asset-building opportunities for people with severe disabilities.
From April 10 to May 24, Gyeonggi Province accepted applications for the 'Disabled Nureum Account' from residents within the province who are classified as 'severely disabled' under the Disability Welfare Act and are aged 19 (born in 2002) to 21 (born in 2004).
As a result, 3,554 people, representing 98.7% of this year's target of 3,600 participants, applied. The total number of 'severely disabled' individuals aged 19 to 21 in the province is 4,564.
Gyeonggi Province believes that those who did not apply are likely participants in similar asset-building support programs run by the government or other local governments, which is a restriction for application.
Applicants will be confirmed as participants after cross-checking for overlaps with similar asset-building programs. Following account opening in June, the province and city/county governments will provide additional support matching the disabled person's monthly savings up to 100,000 KRW for 24 months. At maturity after two years, participants can accumulate approximately 5 million KRW.
Most youth support programs target young people with earned income or business income, making it practically difficult for severely disabled youth who face employment challenges to participate.
Last year, Gyeonggi Province provided matching support totaling 759.48 million KRW to 1,065 participants, which is 88.7% of the 1,200 targeted 19-year-olds in the 'Disabled Nureum Account' program.
Kim Neungsik, Director of the Provincial Welfare Bureau, stated, "We expect this program to contribute to asset formation by providing a small opportunity, following last year, for severely disabled youth who have not been able to fully benefit from government and local youth support programs to plan for their individual aspirations."
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