Customized Support for 300,000 Cold Wave Vulnerable Groups... Expansion of Heating and Living Expenses

Establishment of Measures to Identify and Support Welfare Crisis Households in Winter

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the 'Winter Welfare Crisis Household Discovery and Support Measures' at the 31st National Policy Issue Ministerial Meeting to look after the livelihoods of vulnerable groups during the cold winter.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will check the crisis situations of about 300,000 people who are highly likely to face welfare crises. In particular, about 80,000 vulnerable households, including those with overdue utility bills, elderly living alone, and people with disabilities, will be the focus of inspection. To make it easier to apply for and receive guidance on welfare services, Welfare-ro and Welfare Membership will be actively promoted at public facilities and through mass media.

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is announcing the implementation plan for regional and essential medical innovation at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to provide customized support for cold wave vulnerable groups. They have prepared focused protection measures for vulnerable elderly living alone, homeless people, and vulnerable children during winter, and to prevent winter diseases, free influenza (flu) vaccinations and home health care services will be provided to the elderly. Heating costs will also be supported for social welfare facilities and senior centers. Heating costs of 400,000 KRW per month will be provided to senior centers, and between 300,000 KRW and 1,000,000 KRW per month to social welfare facilities. Additionally, from this year, daycare centers will be newly designated as urban gas fee reduction facilities and supported accordingly.

Heating costs for social welfare facilities mainly used by vulnerable groups will be expanded. Heating costs of 400,000 KRW per month, increased by 30,000 KRW compared to the previous year, will be provided to 68,000 senior centers. Heating costs will be additionally supported from 300,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW per month depending on the type and size of 8,000 nationally funded social welfare facilities. To ensure children have a warm winter, urban gas fees will be newly reduced for 29,000 daycare centers.

Heating costs directly supported for vulnerable households will also be expanded to last winter's level. Among basic livelihood security recipients, energy vouchers averaging 304,000 KRW will be provided to cold-sensitive groups such as the elderly and infants. Gas and district heating users among vulnerable groups will receive fee reductions up to 592,000 KRW. Kerosene vouchers will be supported up to 641,000 KRW, and briquette coupons up to 546,000 KRW.

The basic livelihood security system will also be expanded next year. The median income standard will be raised by a record-high 6.09%. The eligibility criteria for livelihood benefits will be expanded from 30% to 32% of the median income standard. The maximum payment amount for livelihood benefits will increase by 13.16%. The eligibility criteria for housing benefits will also be expanded from 47% to 48% of the median income standard. Education benefits will increase by 11.1%, supporting 100% of the minimum education cost. The support amounts are 461,000 KRW for elementary students, 654,000 KRW for middle school students, and 727,000 KRW for high school students. In addition, emergency care and daily care will be linked to resolve care gaps for middle-aged and older adults in need of care and other vulnerable care groups.

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong said, "We will support vulnerable households to have a warm winter through thorough crisis household discovery and robust livelihood support, and reflect voices from the field to enhance the public's welfare experience."