National Basic Livelihood Security System

• Ministry Of Health and Welfare website: www.mohw.go.kr (Available in English) ☎ 129
• A system that secures basic livelihood for people with low incomes, or who have difficulties sustaining livelihood, or who face financial difficulties due to sudden accidents or diseases etc.

Application Criteria

• Area of support differs depending on selection criteria.

• For households with 4 members

• A type of health care institution that professionally performs oriental medical treatment. Based on traditional Korean medical science, treatment methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion and vital energy are mainly used.

① Livelihood Allowance

Livelihood allowances corresponding to 30% of the median income are given out to people with household debt and income 30% below median income level

② Medical Allowance

Reduces burden of medical fees by 'maintaining current security levels' for people with income 40% below median income level, and who have high debt ratio caused by medical fees.

③ Housing Allowance

Housing enhancements or 'actual rental fees' not exceeding standard rental fees are given to people with income 43% below median income level and whose burden of rental fees is relatively higher compared to income.

※ Standard rental fee is calculated by taking into account the minimum housing standard, and is usually around 100 to 340 thousand won.

④ Education Allowance

To prevent an increase in the number of people who come under the anti-poverty policy and widespread poverty, education fees are subsidized for people with income 50% below median income level.

Foreigner Eligibility

• A foreigner who is married to a Korean citizen and pregnant, or whose Korean spouse is pregnant.
• A foreigner who is married to a Korean citizen and has a minor child dependent who is a Korean citizen (including step-parent and adoptive parent relationships)
• A foreigner who is living together with his or her spouse's immediate family who possess Korean nationality and ancestry.
• A foreigner who has divorced his or her spouse of Korean nationality, or whose spouse has passed away and has a minor child dependent or is pregnant with her deceased spouse's child.

How to Apply

• ‌National Pension Service website: www.nps.or.kr (Available in English, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Mongolian) ☎ 1355
• ‌A system where members make regular contributions as they work for income so that they may receive pension payouts that help maintain basic livelihood when they become no longer able to earn money for some reason.

Application Criteria

• ‌9% of the member's standard income

Foreigner Eligibility

• ‌Foreign employers or workers aged between 18 to 60 years old whose workplaces subscribe to the national pension scheme
• ‌Foreign employers or workers aged between 18 to 60 years old who live in Korea and are not registered as a corporate member

Excluded Cases

• ‌Does not apply to trainees (training employees are eligible), foreign students and diplomats etc. who are excluded by law
• ‌When declared inapplicable according to the national pension act of the foreigner's home country
• ‌When foreign workers from countries that have concluded social security agreements with Korea, submit a membership certificate from his or her home country
  • ‌For more information on membership eligibility, visit『 the National Pension Service website(www.nps.or.kr) → Information on Pension → Easy Guide to National Pension → Signing Up and Registration → Foreign Members』

How to Apply

• ‌For corporate members of the National Pension Plan: Apply at workplace
• ‌For foreigners who are regional members: Register in person at the National Pension Office

Pension Payout

• ‌If foreigners are eligible for coverage under the National Pension Scheme, they may receive Old age Pension, Disability Pension or Survivor Pension.
• ‌Foreign workers are eligible for lump-sum refunds when they leave Korea. However, lumpsum refunds may not be paid for certain nationalities and stay statuses.
  • ※ For more information on Lump-sum Refund (the amount of money refunded from the national pension scheme when a foreigner leaves Korea), visit『 the National Pension Service website (www.nps.or.kr) → Information on Pension → Easy Guide to National Pension → Pension Types and Claims → Pension Payouts for Foreigners』

• Ministry of Health and Welfare website: www.mohw.go.kr (Available in English) ☎ 129
• A system to help people in the lower income group who have difficulty sustaining livelihood due to sudden crisis. Necessary welfare services such as livelihood, medical and housing support etc. are quickly offered so that they may overcome the crisis.

Foreigner Eligibility

• ‌A foreigner residing in Korea who fulfills the following conditions.
  • ‌If it is assessed that the situation is unqualified for assistance or if conditions are not met, further assistance may be ceased and allowances received
• previously must be returned.
  • ‌A foreigner who is married to a Korean citizen
  • A foreigner who has divorced his or her spouse of Korean nationality or whose spouse has passed away or A foreigner who is taking care of his or her immediate family (parents and children) of Korean nationality and ancestry
  • A foreigner recognized as a refugee
  • A foreigner who has, without any fault of his or her own, suffered damages from fire, crime or natural disasters
  • Also, a foreigner who is acknowledged by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as one who requires urgent help
    • A foreigner who has, without any fault of his or her own, suffered damages from natural disasters
    • A foreigner who resides

How to Apply

• ‌For more information, visit『 the Ministry of Health and Welfare website (www.mohw.go.kr) → Policies → Welfare Basic Livelihood Security Emergency Welfare Support 』