Parental Allowance Increased to 1 Million Won for Age 0 and 500,000 Won for Age 1

Support Amount Increased from Previous Maximum of 700,000 Won

The government has decided to increase the 'parental allowance' up to a maximum of 1 million won starting from January this year to alleviate the financial burden on parents raising infant children.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that families with children aged 0 (0-11 months) will receive a monthly parental allowance of 1 million won, and families with children aged 1 (12-23 months) will receive 500,000 won per month. Previously, the support amounts were 700,000 won (age 0) and 350,000 won (age 1), respectively.

The parental allowance was introduced last year to compensate for income loss due to childbirth or childcare and to reduce the economic burden of raising children. From this year, the support amount has been significantly increased to ease the financial burden on families raising infant children.

Applications for the parental allowance can be made by visiting the Eup, Myeon, or Dong administrative welfare centers, or online through the Bokjiro or Government24 websites. It can also be applied for together with the birth registration through the Happy Birth One-Stop Service.

If the voucher support amount for attending daycare centers or using full-day care services is less than the parental allowance, the difference will be provided in cash.

Kim Hyun-sook, Director of Childcare Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "Starting from the new year, we will firmly take responsibility for the economic burden during the early stages of childbirth and childcare by expanding the parental allowance." She added, "Along with the expansion of the parental allowance, we will do our best to provide comprehensive childcare support by diversifying programs to strengthen childcare capabilities and expanding part-time childcare services to practically reduce childcare burdens."