Livelihood benefit eligibility threshold to rise 1 percentage point a year from 2028 — reaching 35% of standard median income by 2030
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to raise the livelihood benefit eligibility threshold (currently 32% or less of the standard median income) by 1 percentage point a year from 2028, reaching 35% by 2030.
Key facts
| Current threshold | 32% or less of standard median income (raised from 30% to 32% in 2024) |
|---|---|
| Planned increase | 1 percentage point a year from 2028, reaching 35% by 2030 |
| Ex officio selection rate | 78.4% average over five years (2022 to June 2026) — 63.9% for all applications |
| Law amendment | Officials may file ex officio applications even when consent is difficult to obtain — National Basic Livelihood Security Act amendment (passed National Assembly plenary on October 1, 2026) |
| Flexible protection | Households above the threshold can still be protected after review by the city/county/district local livelihood security committee |
Last checked:
In an explanatory press release on October 14, 2026, Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare said it will raise the eligibility threshold for the livelihood benefit (생계급여) by 1 percentage point a year from 2028, reaching 35% of the standard median income by 2030. In 2024 the threshold was raised from 30% or less to 32% or less of the standard median income. Under ex officio applications, in which public officials apply for benefits on a person's behalf, an average of 78.4% were selected as recipients over five years (2022 to June 2026), compared with a selection rate of 63.9% for all livelihood benefit applications in the same period. An amendment to the National Basic Livelihood Security Act (기초생활보장법) allowing officials to file ex officio applications even when the person's consent is difficult to obtain passed the National Assembly plenary session on October 1, 2026.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What is an ex officio application?
It is a system in which public officials apply for benefits on behalf of eligible people in crisis so they can be protected quickly.
Can I receive nothing if I am above the threshold?
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that where a household's characteristics or living conditions show it clearly needs protection, the system allows flexible protection through review by the city/county/district local livelihood security committee.