Job-Seeking Allowance Age Limit for Youth Raised to 37 Years

3-Year Extension of Military Service Obligation
Allowance Can Be Received Even with Income

The maximum age for youth eligible to participate in the Korean-style unemployment assistance program, the National Employment Support System, will be expanded to 37 years old. The National Employment Support System is an unemployment assistance program that supports employment for vulnerable groups such as youth who are not enrolled in employment insurance.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 30th that the amendment to the "Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Employment for Job Seekers and Support for Living Stability," which includes this content, was reviewed and approved at the Cabinet meeting that morning.

The amendment expands the upper age limit for youth eligible to participate in the National Employment Support System from 34 to 37 years old. Considering the military service period, up to 3 years are added. The Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "This addition corresponds to the service period (up to 3 years) of active duty soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers, taking into account the gap in job preparation caused by fulfilling military service obligations."

Also, job-seeking promotion allowances can be received even if there is income. Until now, if income exceeding the job-seeking promotion allowance occurred during participation in the National Employment Support System due to part-time jobs, the allowance was not paid.

From now on, even if income is generated within 60% of the median income of a single-person household (1,337,000 KRW based on this year), the job-seeking promotion allowance can be received. The Ministry of Employment and Labor explained that this is to promote job search activities such as job exploration by participants while supporting stable livelihood maintenance.

Job-seeking promotion allowances received through false or unfair acts must be returned up to twice the amount, including additional charges.

This amendment follows the revision of the Job Seekers Employment Promotion Act in August last year and will take effect from the 9th of next month.