Yeonsu District in Incheon to Provide Annual Dignity Maintenance Allowance of 120,000 Won for Seniors Aged 70 and Older

Yeonsu District in Incheon announced on January 13 that starting this year, it will provide an annual dignity maintenance allowance of 120,000 won to residents aged 70 and older.

This initiative aims to enhance senior welfare by subsidizing the cost of bathhouse and hairdressing services, while also contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

The district previously established the "Ordinance on Supporting Dignity Maintenance Allowance for Seniors" to provide an institutional basis for the program and completed consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare regarding the introduction of the new social security system.

Exterior view of Yeonsu District Office, Incheon. Provided by Yeonsu District Office

Eligible recipients are those aged 70 or older who have been registered residents of Yeonsu District for at least six months as of the payment reference date (January 1). The support amount is a total of 120,000 won per person per year, provided in the form of "Yeonsu e-Eum" consumption coupons. The coupons are credited in two installments of 60,000 won each in January and July.

The district expects that approximately 31,000 seniors will benefit from this program.

The allowance can only be used at bathhouses, jjimjilbangs (Korean saunas), barbershops, and hair salons within Yeonsu District that are affiliated with the Yeonsu e-Eum card network. However, in the case of beauty services, only general hairdressing is eligible; specialized beauty services such as skincare, nail care, and makeup are excluded. The coupons can be used from the date of receipt until December 31 of this year, and any unused balance will not be carried over.

Applications must be completed in person at the administrative welfare center of the applicant's residential district. To facilitate smooth processing, the district has assigned additional staff to each center, and to prevent initial congestion, a "day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of the birth year" will be implemented during the first week of the program, until January 16.

Applicants must bring their ID and existing Yeonsu e-Eum card. For proxy applications, a letter of authorization and the proxy’s ID are required.