Winter Drive to Identify 400,000 More At-Risk Households... "300,000 Won Paid Immediately" for Eviction or Livelihood Crises

The government will identify an additional 400,000 households facing crises and at risk of falling through the cracks in winter welfare support. Starting next year, low-income households facing urgent financial hardship will receive an initial payment of 300,000 won based on the judgment of on-site officials. Tailored safety nets for vulnerable groups will also be strengthened, including checks on residents of jjokbang villages, support for older adults' fall-related medical expenses, and care for children during school vacations.

On the morning of Dec. 18, residents huddled against the cold in an alley in the jjokbang neighborhood of Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, as a severe cold snap hit. 2024.12.18

On November 10, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the Cabinet had approved the "2026-2027 Winter Protection Measures for Vulnerable Groups," prepared jointly with relevant government agencies.

Identify 400,000 At-Risk Households Using 50 Types of Big Data... Provide 300,000 Won Immediately in Emergencies

The government plans to expand the information it collects on signs of crisis among vulnerable groups, such as electricity, water, or gas shutoffs and long-term arrears on apartment management fees, from 47 to 50 types, allowing it to identify an additional 400,000 at-risk households. It will also significantly increase the number of welfare services with tailored guidance through the Welfare Membership program, from 164 to 209, to prevent people from missing out on applications. Starting this month, it will proactively inform vulnerable groups about four essential welfare services, including discounts on electricity and gas bills.

Emergency welfare support will also be revamped to speed up assistance. Starting in January 2027, households that have difficulty purchasing essential goods such as formula and diapers, or face eviction due to overdue rent, will be eligible to receive an initial payment of 300,000 won immediately at the discretion of on-site officials, before their documents are reviewed. Households facing a sudden crisis will also receive an additional 150,000 won per month for fuel costs, alongside emergency livelihood support.

Heating Vouchers for 1.44 Million Households... Additional Heating Cost Support for Senior Centers and Welfare Facilities

Heating cost support will also be provided to help low-income households vulnerable to cold waves get through the winter. Energy vouchers worth 367,000 won per year will be provided to about 1.44 million energy-vulnerable households, and an additional 147,000 won will go to 220,000 households that primarily use kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The government will also provide discounts on district heating bills (up to 73,000 won per month), electricity bills (up to 16,000 won per month), and city gas bills (up to 148,000 won per month), as well as insulation work for 37,000 low-income households.

Starting this month, heating cost support of 400,000 won per month will be provided for five months to the 69,000 senior centers used by older adults nationwide. From January 2027, government-funded social welfare facilities primarily used by children and people with disabilities will also receive heating cost subsidies of 300,000 to 1 million won per month for two months.

Close Monitoring of Older Adults Living Alone and Jjokbang Villages... Expand "Gap-Filling Care" for Children at Risk of Going Hungry

On-site safety nets will be activated for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and vulnerable children. Safety checks will be strengthened for 566,000 vulnerable older adults living alone. When a cold wave alert is issued, high-risk individuals with limited mobility will be contacted by phone or visited daily. The government will replace 90,000 outdated devices, including fire detectors and emergency call devices, in 278,000 households of older adults living alone and people with disabilities, and provide real-time cold wave information through 4,000 artificial intelligence (AI) speakers.

In areas with large concentrations of people experiencing street homelessness, patrols will be conducted three times a day when a cold wave alert is issued. Residents of jjokbang villages will be checked on twice a week and provided with emergency shelter and cold-weather supplies. To fill gaps in care during winter vacation, the number of organizations operating "gap-filling care" at local children's centers and other facilities will increase from 1,505 this year to at least 2,200 next year. The number of facilities offering extended evening care will also rise to 393 to prevent children from going hungry and ensure they receive care.

A monitoring system centered on 500 emergency rooms nationwide will be operated to track cold-related illnesses, and the age limit for children eligible for free influenza vaccinations will be raised from 13 to 14. Starting in the first quarter of 2027, support for treatment and recovery costs following falls among older adults in vulnerable groups will also be introduced.

Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong said, "Alongside measures by the central and local governments, I ask everyone to pay special attention to neighbors in need," adding, "If you find a household that needs help, please report it to your nearest administrative welfare center, the 129 Health and Welfare Counseling Center, or the Welfare Crisis Alert app."

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