Up to 127,000 Won Increase in Monthly Livelihood Benefit
for Four-Person Households
Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on December 23 that it will significantly raise the minimum guarantee level for low-income households in 2026, expanding support to further stabilize the basic livelihood of its residents.
The county will ease the standard median income, which is used as the eligibility criterion for each type of basic livelihood security benefit, to a record high. As a result, the maximum livelihood benefit for a single-person household in 2026 will be 820,556 won, and for a four-person household, it will be 2,078,316 won. This represents an increase of up to 55,000 won and 127,000 won, respectively, compared to this year. The actual benefit amount is calculated by subtracting the recognized household income from the eligibility standard amount based on the number of household members.
In addition, to create conditions for young people to achieve self-sufficiency through employment, the county currently deducts 30% of earned income from general recipients, while for those aged 29 or younger, it applies an additional deduction of "400,000 won plus 30%." Next year, the additional earned income deduction for young people will be expanded to cover those aged 34 or younger, and the additional deduction amount will be increased from 400,000 won to 600,000 won, supporting improvements in living standards.
Furthermore, to address the financial difficulties of households excluded or suspended from benefits due to vehicle asset criteria, the standard for converting vehicle value into income will be relaxed. Starting next year, the current threshold for vans and trucks will change from 1,000cc and less than 2 million won to small vans and trucks and less than 5 million won. For multi-child households, the criterion will be eased from three or more children to two or more children, and the income conversion rate will be set at 4.17%. However, for vehicles with an engine displacement of 2,000cc or more or a value exceeding 5 million won, the full vehicle value will continue to be counted as income when determining eligibility.
At the same time, as the guarantee level and coverage are expanded, the county plans to strengthen management of the requirements for conditional recipients with work ability, such as participation in self-sufficiency work programs, to ensure appropriate basic livelihood support.
To strengthen medical benefit coverage for low-income households, the county will ease the imputed support amount from family members, which was previously considered as living expenses provided to recipients. The imputed support will be reduced from 30% or 15% of the family member's income to a uniform 10%, thereby expanding eligibility. In addition, to enhance the effectiveness of mental illness treatment, the out-of-pocket rate for long-acting injectable antipsychotics will be lowered from the current 5% to 2%.
Starting in 2026, to manage excessive outpatient use, a 30% out-of-pocket rate (equivalent to the outpatient rate at primary care clinics under the National Health Insurance) will be applied to outpatient visits exceeding 365 times per year. However, this will not apply to special cases such as those with special calculation exceptions, persons with severe disabilities, children, and pregnant women.
County Governor Lee Seunghwa stated, "We will actively pursue the relaxation of basic livelihood security eligibility criteria in 2026 to expand the coverage of beneficiaries. In addition to institutional improvements, we will closely monitor and provide robust support to ensure that no resident is left in the welfare blind spot and that everyone can enjoy a stable life."
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