More care for older people on islands — 120% increase in long-distance travel payments for care workers
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is expanding support from October so that older people on islands can receive home-visit care reliably. The long-distance travel payment for long-term care staff providing services on islands that have no home-visit care or home-visit bathing provider rises from the current 6,800 won a day to 15,000 won a day, an increase of 120%. The areas eligible for the 50,000 won monthly payment for long-term care workers in farming and fishing communities are also being widened: 6 si/gun/gu classed as medically underserved areas are being added to the 52 si/gun/gu that are currently both population-decline areas and medically underserved areas, along with islands where the family care benefit is paid. Where a recipient on an island receives home-visit care benefits from a care worker who is a family member, the time recognised for benefit payment increases from 60 minutes a day to 90 minutes a day. The measures were approved at the first Long-Term Care Committee of 2026 and announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on 2 July.
Key facts
| Start date | From October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Long-distance travel payment | 6,800 won a day to 15,000 won a day (an increase of 120%) |
| Payment for long-term care workers in farming and fishing communities | 50,000 won a month, with 6 more si/gun/gu classed as medically underserved areas added and coverage extended to islands |
| Recognised benefit time for family care workers | 60 minutes a day to 90 minutes a day for recipients on islands |
| Approving body | First Long-Term Care Committee of 2026 (Ministry of Health and Welfare) |
Last checked:
From October, the long-distance travel payment for long-term care staff providing home-visit care and home-visit bathing on islands rises from 6,800 won a day to 15,000 won a day, an increase of 120%. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on 2 July that the first Long-Term Care Committee of 2026 had approved this expansion of long-term care services on islands.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How much does the long-distance travel payment for care workers rise to?
The long-distance travel payment for long-term care staff providing services on islands that have no home-visit care or home-visit bathing provider rises from the current 6,800 won a day to 15,000 won a day, an increase of 120%.
When does it start?
It starts from October.
How do the eligible areas for the farming and fishing community payment change?
The 50,000 won monthly payment for long-term care workers in farming and fishing communities currently goes only to the 52 si/gun/gu that are both population-decline areas and medically underserved areas. It will now also cover 6 more si/gun/gu classed as medically underserved areas, as well as islands where the family care benefit is paid.
How does the recognised benefit time for a care worker who is a family member change?
At present, where a care worker who is a family member provides home-visit care benefits, only 60 minutes a day is recognised for benefit payment as a rule. In future, where a recipient living on an island receives home-visit care benefits from a care worker who is a family member, up to 90 minutes a day can be counted.