Plan for state responsibility in care for people with developmental disabilities (발달장애인 돌봄 국가책임제) — daytime activity service for 20,000 people in 2027, 1,320 hours a year of childcare support for families of children with disabilities
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
On September 10, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부), jointly with related ministries, announced the plan for state responsibility in care for people with developmental disabilities (발달장애인 돌봄 국가책임제 추진방안). It consists of 3 strategies, 11 tasks and 50 detailed tasks. Care support across the life course expands. Childcare support hours for families of children with disabilities increase by 120 hours, from 1,200 hours a year in 2026 to 1,320 hours a year in 2027; daycare centers specializing in or integrating children with disabilities increase from 2,008 to 2,088; and recipients of developmental rehabilitation services (발달재활서비스) expand from 110,000 to 116,000. Recipients of the after-school activity service for school-age children rise from 11,500 to 13,000, with 1-to-1 intensive support and vacation programs introduced. Recipients of the daytime activity service (주간활동서비스) for adults expand in stages from 15,000 to 20,000 in 2027 and 30,000 in 2030. Recipients of the integrated care service for people with the most severe developmental disabilities rise from 2,340 in 2026 to 2,760 in 2027 under the government budget proposal, and providers of emergency care for the most severe cases expand from 2 to 5. Where a guardian is absent, people with the most severe developmental disabilities will be able to receive 24-hour care and housing support not only on weekdays but also on weekends. A community-centered support system will also be built. Regional support centers for children with disabilities (지역장애아동지원센터) will be set up in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces to support early detection of disabilities and linkage with welfare and education resources, and an integrated app with information specific to people with developmental disabilities will be built. Inquiries: Disability Services Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare (044-202-3353).
Key facts
| Announced | September 10, 2026, jointly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and related ministries |
|---|---|
| Structure | 3 strategies · 11 tasks · 50 detailed tasks |
| Number of people with developmental disabilities | About 288,000 as of the end of 2025 (11.0% of all people with disabilities) |
| Childcare support for families of children with disabilities | 1,200 hours a year in 2026 → 1,320 hours a year in 2027 (a 120-hour expansion) |
| Daytime activity service for adults | 15,000 in 2026 → 20,000 in 2027 → 30,000 in 2030 |
| After-school activity service | 11,500 in 2026 → 13,000 in 2027 (1-to-1 intensive support and vacation programs introduced) |
| Integrated care for the most severe cases | 2,340 in 2026 → 2,760 in 2027 under the government budget proposal / emergency care providers 2 → 5 |
| Developmental rehabilitation services | 110,000 in 2026 → 116,000 in 2027 |
| Regional support centers for children with disabilities | Set up in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces |
| Additional allowance for care staff | From 2027, an additional 2,000 won for infant care staff and 1,000 won for toddler care staff |
| Inquiries | Disability Services Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare 044-202-3353 |
Last checked:
On September 10, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부), jointly with related ministries, announced the plan for state responsibility in care for people with developmental disabilities (발달장애인 돌봄 국가책임제 추진방안). It consists of 3 strategies, 11 tasks and 50 detailed tasks. Childcare support hours for families of children with disabilities expand by 120 hours, from 1,200 hours a year in 2026 to 1,320 hours a year in 2027, and recipients of the daytime activity service (주간활동서비스) for adults with developmental disabilities expand in stages from 15,000 in 2026 to 20,000 in 2027 and 30,000 in 2030.
Background — why this change
As of the end of 2025, there were about 288,000 people with developmental disabilities in Korea, 11.0% of all people with disabilities. In line with the March 2027 entry into force of the Act on Community-Based Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities (장애인지역사회자립법), the government will convert the community independent-living support pilot project into a full program and link housing, jobs and activity support to individual characteristics, pursuing participation by all metropolitan local governments in 2027 and all basic local governments in 2030. Recipients of training support for employed workers that takes account of the characteristics of disability expand from 400 in 2026 to 720 in 2027, and work assistants for people with severe disabilities from 11,700 to 12,200. The public guardianship system and property management support services will be strengthened, recipients of family respite support expand from 16,000 in 2026 to 18,000 in 2027, and parent education and counseling support will also be strengthened.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How much do childcare support hours for families of children with disabilities increase?
Childcare support hours for families of children with disabilities expand by 120 hours, from 1,200 hours a year in 2026 to 1,320 hours a year in 2027.
What support is available for people with the most severe developmental disabilities when a guardian can no longer provide care?
Where a guardian is absent, people with the most severe developmental disabilities will be able to receive 24-hour care and housing support not only on weekdays but also on weekends. The 24-hour individual 1:1 support service for people with the most severe developmental disabilities who need night-time care will be expanded, and services that operated only on weekdays will be extended to weekends.
Where can a parent go when a child's development is delayed?
Regional support centers for children with disabilities will be set up in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces to support early detection of disabilities and linkage with welfare and education resources. Regional centers for people with developmental disabilities (지역발달장애인지원센터) will have their functions strengthened as hubs for integrated case management, providing information across the life course, drawing up individual support plans, and coordinating and advising on services.