▲ Photo courtesy amyelizabethquinn

Mrs. Yang married James, an American man, and since April 2015 they lived in Jeju and just gave birth last month. She remembered when she got pregnant, she received 500,000 won from the government and it was a great help for the couple.

So they started to look for more of the benefits that they can get and they were able to find four more. When she told James about the benefits, he was happy but surprised. Some of the benefits to giving birth are quite unique when compared to the US.

After receiving her daughter’s resident registration number in Korea, it is necessary to get these benefits, they visited the community service center to get these benefits.


1. Support for pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Corporation provide a National Happiness Card called the Kookminhaengbok Card in Korean to reduce the burden of medical expenses in order to raise birth rate.

Any pregnant women who has national health insurance is eligible to apply for this card and the amount of support is 500,000 won for pregnant women having one baby and 900,000 won for pregnant women having twins or triplets.

In order to get the National Happiness Card, you need to get a document to confirm the pregnancy called a Imsinhwakinseo from the hospital. Once you get this document, visit the bank and you will get the card soon.

This card can be used for prenatal tests, delivery, and postpartum care.


2. Childbirth subsidy

The subsidy for childbirth is a project to encourage childbirth by providing financial support. It is a welcome gift for the birth of your baby. Depending on the city or region you live in, the subsidy amount is different. For example, if you give birth in Sejong City, you will get 1.2 million won no matter whether the baby is your first or your third.

In Jeju, 100,000 won will be given for the first baby, 200,000 won for the second one, 600,000 won for the third one and 1.2 million won for your fourth and subsequent ones.

In order to be eligible for the childbirth subsidy, you must apply for it within six months of your baby being born. You can visit the community service center where you live with your resident registration.

3. Support for home care allowance

The government has been providing a home care allowance since March 2013 in order to lower the excessively high use of childcare facilities and to expand the emotional bond between parents and infants through home care.

The home care allowance can be supported if you raise children under 84 months, regardless of your income level.

You will receive 200,000 won a month for a baby less than 12 months old, 150,000 won a month for a baby less than 24 months old, and 100,000 won a month for a baby between the ages of 24 months and 84 months.

As well as this, Jeju is paying an extra 50,000 won per month for those with a second child. That is, 250,000 won a month for a baby less than 12 months old, 200,000 won for a baby less than 24 months old, and 150,000 won for a child between 24 and 84 months.

However, this allowance is given only as long as you raise your children at home. If you send your children to daycare, the allowance will be included in the daycare fees.


4. Support for electricity bills for the family who just gave birth

There is good news for families who do the laundry every day or turn their air purifiers on to clean the air at home for their baby.

If you have a baby less than one year old at home, you can get a 30% discount on your electricity bill of up to 16,000 won per month.

Even if it is only a year from the month you apply, many families welcome this discount. In order to apply for it, call 123 for KEPCO.


5. Welcome money for baby bank account at Nonghyup Bank

If you want to open a bank account for your baby, how about using Nonghyup Bank?

If you open a bank account and make a bank book at Nonghyup Bank in the name of a newborn baby, you can receive 10,000 won as a gift.

It is being implemented to overcome low fertility problems and to encourage childbirth. You can easily make a bank book by bringing your baby’s resident registration information to the bank.