For Unemployed and Short-Term Workers Aged 19-34 in Seoul
Priority Given to Isolated Youth and Seoul Learn Participants
Monthly Allowance of 500,000 Won for Up to Six Months
Seoul City is launching an additional recruitment drive for the Seoul Youth Allowance program. This welfare system is designed to help young people focus on career exploration and job preparation without worrying about living expenses. Participants can receive a monthly Youth Allowance of 500,000 won for up to six months and also access support to strengthen their job-seeking capabilities.
On June 8, Seoul City announced that it will recruit an additional 7,000 participants for the Youth Allowance program from June 10 to June 12 to help more young people enter society.
Seoul City will recruit an additional 7,000 participants for the Youth Allowance program from the 10th to the 12th. Seoul City
Eligible applicants are young people aged 19 to 34 who, as of the application date, are registered residents of Seoul and are either unemployed after graduating from their highest level of education or are engaged in short-term work. Applicants must also have a household income below 150% of the median income based on health insurance premiums.
With the revision of Seoul City's Youth Basic Ordinance, young people who have completed mandatory military service can extend their participation period in youth policies by the length of their service, up to a maximum of three years, and may apply until the age of 37 depending on their service period.
To verify graduation status, all applicants must submit a certificate of graduation (including those who have completed or are expected to graduate). Unemployment status is checked based on employment insurance enrollment. Even if enrolled in employment insurance, those working 30 hours or less per week or engaged in short-term employment of three months or less are eligible to participate in the Youth Allowance program. In such cases, applicants must submit documents, such as an employment contract, to verify their short-term employment status.
Recipients of basic livelihood benefits (living, housing, medical, or educational benefits) and those in the lower-income bracket are excluded from eligibility because receiving the Youth Allowance is considered income and would disqualify them from existing welfare benefits. Young people currently participating in similar programs such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor's National Employment Support Program, Seoul City's Youth Monthly Rent Support, or the Double Hope Youth Savings Account are also excluded.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available spots, priority will be given in the following order: ▲ participants in Seoul Learn, ▲ short-term workers with household income below 80% of the median, ▲ isolated or reclusive youth, and ▲ low-income youth (based on health insurance premiums). Isolated or reclusive youth have been newly added as a priority group in this additional recruitment to support those who are willing to return to society and seek employment. Those selected in this additional recruitment will receive a monthly Youth Allowance of 500,000 won for up to six months from July to December and can also participate in the "Growth Support Program," which helps with career planning and job-seeking skills.
The "Long-term Mentoring by Professionals" program, introduced this year, matches youth with professionals in small groups for online and offline job mentoring, resume consultations, and mock interviews. Professionals from various companies, including Naver Webtoon, LG Electronics, and Johnson & Johnson, are participating as mentors, offering guidance in fields such as human resources, data analysis, and IT/development.
Kim Chulhee, Director of Future Youth Planning at Seoul City, stated, "We will ensure that the Youth Allowance serves not just as a simple cash benefit, but as a stepping stone for young people to grow and clarify their career paths," adding, "In particular, we will actively support youth to prepare for employment more practically and efficiently through the long-term mentoring program with professionals working in various fields."
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