Solo Self-Employed Also Take a Break... "Seoul-Type Hospitalization Living Expense Support" Up 20%

4,375 Beneficiaries This Year... Up 19.7% Year-on-Year
24.66 Billion Won in Support Since 2019
Lowered Eligibility Barriers by Easing Asset and Work Requirements

Applications for the "Seoul-Type Hospitalization Living Expense Support" program increased by 21% in Seoul this year compared to the same period last year. This program provides wage-replacement benefits to working citizens such as solo self-employed individuals, freelancers, day laborers, and mobile workers who have difficulty taking paid sick leave, by compensating for income gaps when they are hospitalized or undergo a national general health examination. The Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced the program in 2019, the first of its kind in the nation, to prevent delayed treatment due to concerns about daily living expenses.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on October 6, the number of applications for the "Seoul-Type Hospitalization Living Expense Support" program from January to August 2026 totaled 5,132, an increase of 21.1% (895 cases) compared to the same period last year (4,237 cases). The actual number of payments increased by 19.7% year-on-year to 4,375 (from 3,654). The total amount paid out reached 3,231,480,000 won, a 27.7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

View of Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Most notably, usage of the program has remained steady. In the first year of implementation in 2019, 2,675 cases received approximately 1.1 billion won in support. This number increased to 4,891 cases in 2023, 5,333 in 2024, and 5,969 in 2025. From the program’s inception in 2019 to the end of August 2026, a cumulative total of 40,950 cases have received support amounting to 24,660,000,000 won.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has raised the benefit amount and relaxed the eligibility criteria starting this year. Reflecting the increase in Seoul’s living wage for 2026, the daily support amount rose from 94,230 won last year to 96,960 won. Hospitalization and related outpatient treatment are supported for up to 13 days per year, and national general health examinations for one day, so beneficiaries can receive support for up to 14 days per year, totaling up to 1,357,440 won.

The access threshold was lowered as well. Since March this year, the asset threshold has been raised from a maximum of 350 million won to 400 million won, and the recognized period for work or business activity has also been expanded.

The program covers Seoul residents who are subscribers to the regional National Health Insurance, with earned income or business income, and a household income at or below 100% of the standard median income. The recognized period for work or business activity was expanded from the previous three months (including the month before hospitalization) to allow inclusion of the days from the 1st of the hospitalization month up to the day immediately before hospitalization. As a result, even those who worked until just before hospitalization but did not previously meet the criteria are now eligible.

To prevent citizens from missing out on support due to lack of awareness, efforts to provide field-oriented guidance have been strengthened. In cooperation with the National Health Insurance Service, guidance letters have been sent to approximately 73,000 citizens who have records of hospitalization or health examinations. The program is also being promoted through around 500 locations, including major medical and examination institutions such as Seoul National University Hospital, underground shopping centers, and labor agencies.

Application convenience has been improved as well. The online application system now features an AI chatbot, providing 24-hour guidance on eligibility, required documents, and procedures. Applications can be submitted online via the "Seoul-Type Hospitalization Living Expense Support" website, or in person at the local community service center or health center in the applicant’s residential district.

Park Kyunghwan, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Department of Civil Affairs and Labor, stated, "The Seoul-Type Hospitalization Living Expense Support program serves as a safety net for citizens who find it difficult to stop working even when ill, helping them avoid giving up treatment due to financial concerns," adding, "We will continue to strengthen support to ensure citizens are aware of and can easily access the program when needed, further safeguarding the health and daily security of working citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.