Support for older people

There is support available with age. But many schemes have nationality and residence requirements.

What exists

1. Basic pension — for people above a certain age in lower income brackets. There is a nationality requirement.
2. Long-term care insurance — care for older people who cannot manage alone. For health insurance subscribers.
3. Senior employment schemes — run by local governments and senior welfare centres.
4. Customised care services for older people — welfare checks, household help.
5. Senior centres and welfare centres — local activities and meals.
6. Medical, denture and implant support — health insurance items.

Steps

1. Ask your community service centre. "I'd like to know what support I can receive."
2. Check nationality, visa and residence requirements.
3. Apply for each applicable scheme.
4. For long-term care, apply for a grading assessment with the NHIS, 1577-1000.

What you need

• ID
• Income and asset documents
• Family relationship documents
• Health insurance eligibility
• A medical certificate (for long-term care)

Where to go

• Your local community service centre
• 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (long-term care)
• 129 health and welfare counselling
• Your local senior welfare centre
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (interpretation)

Questions people ask

Can I get the basic pension as a foreign national? The basic pension has a nationality requirement, so it is often not possible. Check your case at the community centre and ask what alternatives exist.

I brought my parents here to care for them. What they can receive depends on their status (F-1 and others). Check their health insurance enrolment first.

They cannot manage alone. Apply for a long-term care grading. With a grade you can use visiting carers and day or night care.

Can I receive the national pension? It depends on contribution period and age. Check with 1355.

Take care

Long hours alone are dangerous for older people. The customised care service includes welfare checks — ask your community centre. Falls, hypothermia and heatwaves are especially dangerous for the elderly.

Related

national-pension-foreigners · medical-benefit · f1-visit-cohabit · basic-livelihood

Source

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