Dongjak-gu, Nationwide First to Operate 'Welfare Text Call 24'

A 24-Hour Welfare Consultation Platform for Seamless Communication

Dongjak-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on the 6th that it will launch the nation’s first “text-only welfare consultation platform” without time and space constraints starting from the 17th of this month to eliminate blind spots in welfare information.

Dongjak-gu, Nationwide First to Operate 'Welfare Text Call 24'

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu. Provided by Dongjak-gu.

This platform is the “Dongjak Welfare Text Call 24” (Welfare Call) service, which allows any resident to conveniently request welfare consultations via text 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The main number is 1899-6808, where the last digit 6 represents a telephone icon, and 808 symbolizes the SOS distress signal, meaning “Pick up the phone (6), leave an SOS (808) text.”

According to the district office, the Welfare Call was established to reflect communication trends favoring text messaging and to enhance administrative convenience for workers during daytime hours and residents who find it difficult to visit or call for consultations.

The Welfare Call operates as an internet phone managed by the district’s Welfare Policy Division, running 24 hours a day. Received texts are checked within one business day (weekdays 9 AM to 6 PM, excluding holidays) to begin consultations.

Although consultations are text-only, they can be customized to telephone or face-to-face formats upon the requester’s preference. Professional staff identify personal information and inquiry details to respond accordingly. Simple questions receive immediate answers, while specific or complex inquiries are referred to relevant departments or local community centers for in-depth consultation.

In particular, the district plans to kindly and clearly guide all available administrative services during consultations to expand residents’ access to welfare information.

Mayor Park Il-ha stated, “From now on, all our residents will be able to receive high-quality welfare services quickly and easily with just ‘one text anytime, anywhere.’ With pride and responsibility as the nation’s first, we will devote all efforts to supporting welfare crisis households and ensuring the happy daily lives of our residents.”