What the basic livelihood security system is

Basic livelihood security is the state guaranteeing a minimum standard of living. It has four benefits.

The four benefits

1. Livelihood benefit — cash for living costs
2. Medical benefit — greatly reduces hospital costs
3. Housing benefit — rent or home repair support
4. Education benefit — school supplies, textbooks

Each has a different income threshold, so receiving only one is common. You may not qualify for the livelihood benefit but still qualify for medical, housing or education benefits.

How to apply

1. Go to your community service centre.
2. Have a consultation and fill in the application.
3. An income and asset assessment follows. It takes time.
4. You are notified of the result.
5. If refused, find out why and ask about other schemes.

What you need

• ID (Alien Registration Card)
• Family relationship and residence documents
• Income and asset documents
• Lease contract (for housing benefit)
• A bank account

Where to go

• Your local community service centre
• 129 health and welfare counselling
• Bokjiro www.bokjiro.go.kr (eligibility simulator)
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages, interpretation)
• Your local Family Center

Questions people ask

Can foreign residents receive it? There are eligibility rules. See the basic-livelihood-eligibility guide. Marriage migrants, recognised refugees and some others may qualify.

Does applying affect my visa? It depends on the scheme. Check with 1345 and the community centre before applying.

I have nothing to eat right now. Basic livelihood assessment takes time. Apply for emergency welfare support first — see the emergency-welfare guide.

I feel too ashamed to go. It is a legitimate right. Staff handle these consultations daily. If you need interpretation, call 1577-1366 first.

Take care

Do not decide for yourself and give up. Many people never apply because they assume they will not qualify. Consultation is free, and if you do not qualify you are pointed to other schemes.

Related

basic-livelihood-eligibility · emergency-welfare · housing-benefit · medical-benefit

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Bokjiro www.bokjiro.go.kr / As of 2026-08