1 in 5 Citizens Received Welfare Membership Benefits

Mr. A, living in Gyeonggi-do, was experiencing financial difficulties to the extent that he could hardly afford his children's education expenses after failing to qualify for the Basic Livelihood Security Program. Fortunately, after consulting with the local government, he joined the Welfare Membership and was able to receive educational benefits (Basic Livelihood Security) and support for elementary, middle, and high school students' education expenses.

Ms. B, who was preparing for childbirth, heard from a representative that through the 'Welfare Membership,' she could be guided on welfare services available to childbirth households, and thus she joined the Welfare Membership. After the birth of her child, Ms. B's household applied for parental benefits, but forgot to apply for the 'First Meeting Voucher.' Fortunately, thanks to a text notification through the Welfare Membership, they were able to apply for the First Meeting Voucher in time, easing the burden of childcare.

It was found that one in five citizens received benefits from the Welfare Membership (customized benefit guidance).

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 12th that the cumulative number of Welfare Membership (customized benefit guidance) subscribers has exceeded 10 million two years after the system was implemented. Introduced in September 2021, the Welfare Membership is a system that, when applied for through the national welfare portal 'Bokjiro,' analyzes income and assets to guide applicants on welfare services they can receive.

As of the end of August, the cumulative number of Welfare Membership subscribers was 10.19 million (6.73 million households). Since September last year, not only beneficiaries but all citizens have been able to join the Welfare Membership, resulting in 542,000 non-beneficiary citizens with high interest in welfare services also subscribing.

Welfare Membership subscribers receive guidance via text messages and Bokjiro (Welfare Wallet) on welfare services they can receive based on household characteristics such as income, assets, age, disability status, and childbirth, from among 80 types of welfare services including basic pension, parental benefits, and energy vouchers. Over the past two years, a total of 20.26 million notifications were sent, averaging three notifications per household. Since September last year, 420,000 notifications were sent to non-beneficiary households, averaging 1.8 notifications per household.

Primarily, discount services for low-income groups such as mobile phone bill reductions, energy vouchers, and grain discounts were guided. Households raising children were informed about programs such as the Together Care Project, Nutrition Plus Project, and childcare fee support.

Welfare Membership subscribers are also utilized for the regular identification of households in crisis. If a subscriber is notified that they are eligible for cash benefits but does not apply within a certain period, they are linked to the welfare blind spot detection system, which conducts investigations such as local government visits and confirmations.