The Ministry of Health and Welfare noted on the 5th that from January this year, the basic pension amount for individuals with disabilities will increase by 7,700 won compared to the previous year. Consequently, pension recipients can receive up to 432,510 won per month, combining the basic pension of 342,510 won and an additional pension of 90,000 won.
The pension for individuals with disabilities is a system implemented since July 2010 to support the livelihood and welfare enhancement of severely disabled individuals whose lives are challenging due to their disabilities. It consists of a basic pension to offset income loss due to incapacity to work and an additional pension to cover expenses arising from disabilities. The additional pension ranges from 30,000 to 90,000 won based on income levels.
The pension for individuals with disabilities is provided to the bottom 70% of income earners among severely disabled individuals. This year's eligibility criteria are set at 1,380,000 won for single households—an increase of 80,000 won from last year, and 2,208,000 won for couple households—an increase of 128,000 won from last year. As of November of last year, 351,386 people were receiving the disability pension.
Severely disabled individuals wishing to receive the pension can apply by visiting the administrative welfare center in any town, township, or district nationwide, regardless of the address on their resident registration, or by applying through the Welfare website.
Son Ho-jun, director of the welfare department's Disability Policy Bureau, said, "We hope that income security systems, including the pension for the disabled, will help stabilize the lives of people with disabilities."