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| The government will give a monthly allowance of 100,000 won to parents with children under six years old irrespective of family income from April. gettyimagesbank |
By Kang Seung-woo
Starting April, parents will receive a monthly allowance of 100,000 won ($88) for each child under six years old irrespective of family income, the government said, Tuesday.
Plus, the benefit will be extended to those under the age of seven in September.
The payment has become possible after the National Assembly revised a relevant law to remove the income eligibility standards, and the government endorsed a relevant ordinance at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.
So far, households in the top 10 percent income bracket have not been entitled to the benefit.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, new beneficiaries must apply at community service centers or the ministry's website, and the allowance for the first three months of this year will be paid retroactively.
The benefit is in line with President Moon Jae-in's childcare policy pledges. During the 2017 election campaign, Moon stressed a greater government role in childcare with the aim of tackling the country's chronically low birthrate.
