Monthly 100,000-won child allowance to be expanded to children under 13; enforcement decree revision pre-announced

[Financial News] The monthly 100,000-won child allowance, currently paid up to age 8, will be expanded to cover children under 13. The eligibility age will rise by one year every year until 2030.
On the 4th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare pre-announced partial amendments to the enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the Child Allowance Act, as well as a new notice designating regions eligible for additional child allowance payments. The public notice period runs until the 27th of this month. Although the partial amendment to the Child Allowance Act is still pending in the National Assembly, the ministry is moving first on revising subordinate regulations so that payments can begin quickly once the law is passed.
Currently, the child allowance is paid to children under age 8 at a rate of 100,000 won per month.
The government plans to gradually expand this to children under 13, increasing the age limit by one year each year starting this year. Children living in non-metropolitan areas and in regions with declining populations will receive up to an additional 20,000 won per month.
An amendment to the Child Allowance Act reflecting these changes was approved by the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly early last month. However, the bill is currently pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly and has not yet passed the plenary session.
According to the subordinate regulations that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has now pre-announced, the specific regions and amounts for additional child allowance payments are clearly defined. Children living in non-metropolitan areas will receive an extra 5,000 won per month. Children in designated priority areas among population-declining regions will receive an extra 10,000 won per month, and those in special areas will receive an extra 20,000 won per month. The specific cities, counties, and districts classified as non-metropolitan, priority, or special areas are set out in an official notice.
As with the existing child allowance, the additional payments of 5,000 to 20,000 won per month may also be provided in the form of Local Love Gift Certificate vouchers.
If the child allowance is paid in Local Love Gift Certificate vouchers, the deadline for submitting related data, which is currently six months before payment, may be adjusted in consultation with the Minister of Health and Welfare.
The scope of recipients for information related to the child allowance will also be expanded in stages, from guardians of children under age 8 to guardians of children under age 13.
During the public notice period, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will gather opinions from the public and then finalize the amendments. Comments can be submitted until the 27th to the Child Policy Division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare or through the Public Participation Legislative Center.
skjung@fnnews.com Jeong Sang-geun Reporter