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 →Key 2026 Policy Changes
Income limits increased to reflect inflation adjustments.
Monthly pension raised by approximately 2.5% to reflect CPI growth.
The 4-person household median income rose 5.1%, expanding welfare coverage.
Tips for Claiming Benefits
Use the Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr) portal to check all benefits you may qualify for. Apply during designated periods and verify both income and asset requirements before submitting.