The Korean government operates various welfare programs for low-income workers and vulnerable populations. However, eligibility requirements are complex and change annually, causing many people to miss benefits they qualify for. This guide covers the key 2026 welfare programs: EITC, Basic Pension, and median income thresholds.
📑 Table of Contents
EITC Eligibility & Payment Amounts
Korea's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides cash payments to low-income working households to incentivize employment and supplement real income. The 2026 income thresholds and maximum payments by household type are shown below.
| Household Type | Income Threshold | Max Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Under 22M won | 1.65M won |
| Single-earner | Under 32M won | 2.85M won |
| Dual-earner | Under 38M won | 3.3M won |
Basic Pension Requirements
The Basic Pension provides monthly payments to seniors aged 65+ whose recognized income falls below the selection threshold. For 2026, single-person households can receive up to approximately 342,510 won per month.
🏛️ Basic Pension Calculator Check your eligibility and estimated pension amount →Median Income & Welfare Programs
The standard median income determines eligibility for most government welfare programs. Different benefit programs use different percentage thresholds: livelihood benefits (32%), medical benefits (40%), housing benefits (48%), and education benefits (50%).
📊 Median Income Calculator Check welfare eligibility by household size →