Support for single-parent families

If you are raising a child alone, look into single-parent family support. Divorce, bereavement and unmarried parenthood can all qualify.

What is available

1. Child-rearing allowance — monthly, subject to income conditions
2. Education and school supplies support
3. Housing support — single-parent family welfare facilities, rental housing
4. Child support enforcement — help obtaining maintenance from the other parent
5. Counselling and legal support
6. Self-reliance support — vocational training, job matching

Who this covers

• People raising children alone through divorce, bereavement, separation or as an unmarried parent
• Income and asset conditions apply
• For foreign residents it depends on the child's nationality and your status — check with the community centre

Steps

1. Talk to your local community service centre.
2. Apply for the single-parent family certificate. This is the starting point for support.
3. Apply for individual schemes. Bokjiro or in person.
4. If child support is an issue, contact the child support agency.

What you need

• ID (Alien Registration Card, passport)
• Family relationship, divorce or death documents
• Income and asset documents
• Your child's ID documents

Where to go

• Your local community service centre
• 129 health and welfare counselling
• 1644-6621 single-parent helpline and child support agency
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (migrant women, 13 languages)
• 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation

Questions people ask

I'm divorced and my child is a Korean national. If the child holds Korean nationality you are often eligible. Always confirm at the community centre.

My ex-spouse won't pay child support. The child support agency helps you claim and enforce it. Call 1644-6621.

I'm worried about my visa status. Raising a child can be recognised as a reason to continue your stay. Talk to 1345 and 1577-1366.

Do single fathers qualify? Yes. Single-parent includes fathers.

Take care

Support only comes if you apply. The harder things are, the more important it is to go to the community centre now rather than later. Use 1577-1366 if you need interpretation.

Related

f6-divorce-stay · f6-spouse-death · child-allowance · multicultural-child-support

Source

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family www.mogef.go.kr / As of 2026-08