Expansion of Diaper and Formula Subsidies... Yeongdeungpo-gu Eases Childcare Burden for Low-Income Families

Starting this year, low-income households raising infants under 24 months will receive expanded support for diaper purchases at 90,000 KRW per month and formula milk at 110,000 KRW per month... Ongoing efforts to reduce economic burdens and create a better environment for childbearing

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will provide support for the purchase of diapers and infant formula to low-income households raising infants under 24 months old.

The district is promoting a support program for essential childcare items, such as diapers and infant formula, to reduce the economic burden on low-income families in this era of high inflation and to create a favorable environment for childbirth.

Starting this year, the district plans to increase the support amount to 90,000 KRW per month for diapers, up from 80,000 KRW, and 110,000 KRW per month for infant formula, up from 100,000 KRW, reflecting the inflation rate.

The eligibility for diaper purchase support includes households with infants aged 0 to under 24 months who are ▲ recipients of basic livelihood security, ▲ in the lower-income bracket, ▲ single-parent families, or ▲ households with disabled persons or multiple children (two or more) with an income below 80% of the median income.

The infant formula support targets those among the “diaper support eligible households” where ▲ the mother has passed away, ▲ breastfeeding is impossible due to the mother’s illness (such as cancer treatment or AIDS infection), ▲ a doctor has determined that breastfeeding is impossible due to damage to the mother’s mammary glands, or ▲ the child is in a child welfare facility, group home, foster care, or is in a single-parent or infant adoptive family.

Applications can be submitted until the day before the infant turns 24 months old. However, if the application is made within 60 days from the infant’s birth date (including the birth date), the full 24 months of support will be provided. If the application is made after 60 days, support will be provided monthly only for the remaining period until the infant turns 24 months.

Applicants can apply in person at the local public health center or community service center in their area of residence, or apply online through the ‘Bokjiro’ or ‘Government24’ websites. Applicants must be registered residents or foreigners registered in Korea (with at least one parent holding Korean nationality), and the support funds will be provided as vouchers (points) on the National Happiness Card.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We hope this program will ease the economic burden caused by childbirth and childcare so that families can purchase essential childcare items like diapers and formula with peace of mind. We encourage eligible individuals to apply within the deadline and fully benefit from this support.”