Checking what welfare you can receive
More people miss out through not knowing than for any other reason. Take ten minutes to check.
Three ways
- The Bokjiro simulation — enter income and household size at www.bokjiro.go.kr for a list of services you may qualify for. The fastest route.
- Call 129 — the Health and Welfare Call Centre, open 24 hours. Describe your situation and they identify the right schemes.
- Visit your community service centre and ask "is there any welfare support I'm eligible for?" The surest route.
Always check in these situations
- Income suddenly stops — job loss, business closure, injury
- A large medical bill
- Raising children — child allowance, childcare and education support
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Becoming a single-parent family
- Facing loss of your home
- Acquiring a disability
- Heating costs becoming a burden in winter
For foreign residents
Status requirements differ by scheme. Even if it seems unlikely, check directly. Marriage migrants, permanent residents and those raising a child with Korean nationality qualify for a number of schemes.
Where to go
- 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre (24 hours)
- Bokjiro www.bokjiro.go.kr
- Your local community service centre
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (interpretation)
- 1345 Immigration Contact Centre
- Your nearest family centre
Questions people ask
Will applying affect my residence status? If you are worried whether applying for public welfare itself creates a disadvantage, check with 1345 first. It varies by scheme, so ask precisely.
Am I excluded if I have some income? Criteria differ by scheme. Many supports are available while working. Check with the simulation.
The paperwork feels overwhelming. The community centre will walk you through it. Start with a consultation.
Korean is difficult for me. Use 1577-1366 interpretation alongside, or ask a family centre to accompany you.
Take care
Most welfare is paid from the date you apply. Learning late means losing that time. Make one call to 129 today — it's free and open 24 hours.
Related
welfare-application · bokjiro · community-center · emergency-welfare · utility-discount
Source
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Bokjiro www.bokjiro.go.kr / As of 2026-08