Gyeonggi Province plans to alleviate the burden of elderly individuals struggling with caregiving costs by providing nursing care support of up to 1.2 million won per year per person.
On the 19th, Gyeonggi Province announced the implementation of the “Gyeonggi Province Caregiving SOS Project,” which aims to support this goal.
The beneficiaries include seniors aged 65 or older residing in the province who meet certain criteria, such as being basic livelihood security recipients or classified as low-income based on living, medical, or housing expenses. They also need to have been hospitalized in a general hospital or higher medical institution after 2025 due to injuries or illnesses to receive this caregiving service. Those already receiving caregiving cost support through other projects, such as the Gyeonggi-type Emergency Welfare Project or city/county-specific caregiving support programs, are excluded.
The participating cities and counties include 15 locations such as Hwaseong, Namyangju, and Gwangmyeong, where applications will be accepted from the 20th onwards at local administrative welfare centers in towns, townships, and neighborhoods. Gyeonggi Province stated that the target areas will be gradually expanded.
Eligible individuals can receive up to 1.2 million won annually, with no restrictions on the number of payments or the amount per payment within the limit. If it’s difficult to open or use an account in the applicant’s name, a spouse or direct blood relative’s account can be used for proxy receipt.
Those wishing to apply must first pay the caregiving costs to the caregiving agency or caregiver after receiving the service. Then, they can apply by submitting the necessary documents, such as the verification of caregiving service, to the local administrative welfare center in their area. Once the city or county review confirms the payment, cash will be deposited into the applicant’s account.
For more detailed information, inquiries should be directed to the local administrative welfare center.
Hana Kim, the Director of Welfare in Gyeonggi Province, commented, “Through the Caregiving SOS Project, we hope to provide low-income elderly patients with an opportunity to maintain their basic human dignity and offer caregivers a chance for temporary respite from the mental and physical stress of family caregiving.” She added, “We will continue to expand tailored welfare policies for vulnerable groups.”