8 Government Support Programs for Raising Kids Ages 0–12: The Complete Guide

From birth through elementary school, there’s more government support available for raising a child than you might think. We’ve rounded up 8 programs in one place — from the monthly Child Allowance to daycare subsidies, parental leave benefits for when you take time off, and free vaccinations. Take a quick look and see which ones apply to your family.

8 Government Support Programs for Raising Kids Ages 0–12, at a Glance

Government support for raising children generally falls into four categories: cash benefits, childcare and care support, work-family balance support for parents, and health support for vulnerable households. Start with whichever programs fit your family’s situation.

If you apply for the Child Allowance, the childcare subsidy, and the diaper/formula support all together within 60 days of registering the birth, payments are backdated to the month the child was born.

Cash Every Month: The Child Allowance

The Child Allowance pays KRW 100,000 per child on the 25th of every month to every child under age 8. If the 25th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, the payment is made the day before. Any child with Korean nationality qualifies even if their parents are foreign nationals, and you can still receive it even while receiving the childcare subsidy or the home-care allowance (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare).

How to Apply for the Child Allowance

• Online: Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr), Government24, or the “Bokjiro” mobile app
• In person: The community service center (eup/myeon/dong office) for the child’s registered address
• When to apply: Any time after registering the birth. Apply within 60 days of the birth date to have payments backdated to the birth month

If someone other than a parent (a grandparent or other relative) is applying, online applications aren’t available — you’ll need to visit the community service center in person.

If the child stays outside Korea for 90 days or more, payments are suspended, so if you’re planning an extended trip abroad, it’s worth checking the details in advance.

Childcare Subsidy for Daycare Enrollment

Children ages 0–5 who attend daycare receive full or partial coverage of childcare fees through the childcare subsidy. The rates that apply from January to December 2026 are as follows (source: Bokjiro).

What to Check Before You Apply

• If your child’s daycare start date differs from your application date, support begins from the application date. Apply before or on the day your child starts daycare so you don’t end up paying out of pocket.
• If your household was receiving another benefit, such as the home-care allowance or preschool tuition support, you need to file a separate request to switch to the childcare subsidy. Support isn’t backdated if you miss this step.
• Free Nuri Curriculum childcare (ages 3–5) applies for a combined maximum of 3 years across kindergarten and daycare.

For questions, call the i-Sarang Childcare Portal Help Desk at 1566-3232, or the Ministry of Education inquiry line at 02-6222-6060.

Care That Comes to Your Door: The Idolbom Service

When a parent’s business trip, late shift, or a sudden doctor’s appointment leaves a gap in childcare, a caregiver visits your home directly to look after children from 3 months to 12 years old. There are two types: hourly care (age 3 months–12 years) and full-day infant care (age 3–36 months).

Government Subsidy by Income Bracket (2025 Rates)

Type A applies to children born on or after January 1, 2018, and Type B to children born on or before December 31, 2017.

Balancing Work and Family: Parental Leave Benefits

If an employee with a child age 8 or under (or in second grade of elementary school or below) takes parental leave, the Employment Center pays out benefits. To qualify, you need at least 180 days of insured employment and must be granted at least 30 days of parental leave.

2026 Parental Leave Benefit Rates

• Months 1–3: 100% of ordinary wages, capped at KRW 2.5 million/month
• Months 4–6: 100% of ordinary wages, capped at KRW 2 million/month
• From month 7 onward: 80% of ordinary wages, capped at KRW 1.6 million/month

If both parents each take 3 months or more, or for single parents or parents of a child with a severe disability, the leave period extends to up to 1 year and 6 months.

The “6+6” Bonus for Parents Who Take Leave Together

If both parents take parental leave for a child under 18 months old, each parent receives 100% of their ordinary wages for their first 6 months of leave. The monthly cap varies by month:

You can apply starting 1 month after your parental leave begins, up to 12 months after it ends, through Employment24 (work24.go.kr) or your local Employment Center. For questions, call 1350.

Get Paid for Shorter Hours: Reduced Working Hours During Childcare

Instead of taking full leave, you can also choose to work reduced hours of 15–35 hours a week. This applies to parents of children age 12 or under (or in sixth grade of elementary school or below); the age limit was expanded from age 8 to age 12 starting February 23, 2025.

• First 10 hours of reduction: 100% of ordinary wages, capped at KRW 2.5 million/month
• Remaining reduced hours: 80% of ordinary wages, capped at KRW 1.6 million/month
• Duration: 1 year, plus twice any unused parental leave, for up to 3 years total

If you don’t use your full year of parental leave, you can add twice the unused period to your reduced-hours arrangement — a handy way to control your return-to-work date more flexibly.

Nutrition and Childcare Supplies for Low-Income and Vulnerable Households

Diaper and Formula Support for Low-Income Families

Households with an infant under age 2 that receive Basic Livelihood Security, Near-Poverty, or single-parent benefits (including large or disabled families with income at or below 80% of the median) get support loaded onto a National Happiness Card voucher.

• Diapers: KRW 90,000/month
• Formula: KRW 110,000/month (for infants who can’t be breastfed, or who are adopted or in institutional care, etc.)

Apply within 60 days of the birth to receive support for the full 24 months. Apply at your local public health center or community service center.

Nutrition Plus for Pregnant Women and Infants

This program provides supplemental food packages and regular nutrition counseling to pregnant women and infants with income at or below 80% of the median who also have a nutritional risk factor, such as anemia, low birth weight, growth delay, or poor nutrient intake. There are separate packages for infants (0–6 months and 6–12 months), toddlers (ages 1–6), and pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women. Apply at your local public health center.

Eligibility is based on your household’s combined self-paid health insurance premiums, so it’s faster to check with your nearest public health center before applying. For questions, call the Ministry of Health and Welfare Call Center at 129.

Free Vaccinations for Children 12 and Under

Children born on or after January 1, 2013, can get 17 vaccines against infectious diseases for free at public health centers or designated children’s national immunization providers. The diseases covered are hepatitis B, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis, HPV, and influenza.

• BCG (intradermal): Covered through age 59 months
• Hib and PCV (pneumococcal): Through age 59 months
• Rotavirus: For infants under 8 months old
• Percutaneous BCG and 9-valent HPV: Not covered by the national program (out-of-pocket)

You can check the detailed schedule at the Vaccination Helper site (nip.kdca.go.kr); for questions, call the KDCA Call Center at 1339.

5 Things to Check Before You Apply

• Apply for the Child Allowance, childcare subsidy, and diaper/formula support together within 60 days of registering the birth
• To receive the childcare subsidy, finish applying before or on the day your child starts daycare
• Switching between welfare services, such as the home-care allowance and the childcare subsidy, requires a separate application
• Apply for parental leave benefits between 1 month after your leave starts and 12 months after it ends
• Idolbom government support requires a 2-step application: community service center, then the service provider

For many of these programs, any period you miss by not applying isn’t backdated. Whenever your child is born, you change jobs, or your family situation changes, check your current eligibility on Bokjiro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I receive the Child Allowance and the childcare subsidy at the same time?

Yes. The Child Allowance is paid to every child under age 8 regardless of other welfare benefits, such as the childcare subsidy or the home-care allowance.

If my child starts daycare, what happens to the Parental Benefit or the home-care allowance?

Switching to a different type of service requires a separate application. If you apply for the childcare subsidy, the home-care allowance is automatically stopped, and preschool tuition support stops immediately. Any gap period isn’t backdated, so be sure to handle this at the time you switch.

What happens if I miss the application window for parental leave benefits?

You need to apply between 1 month after your leave starts and 12 months after it ends. If you miss this window, you can’t receive the benefit, so it’s safest to apply on Employment24 right after your leave begins.

If I run out of subsidized Idolbom hours, can I use more?

The government-subsidized hours are limited. Once you exceed the limit, you can use additional hours at full cost, and options beyond hourly/full-day care — such as overnight care or pickup/drop-off accompaniment — are available on request from the service provider (1577-2514).

If I start vaccinations late, do I lose the free support?

For vaccines like DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, and rotavirus, missing the recommended timing can change the number of doses needed or mean some doses are skipped. The free support itself continues through age 12, but if your schedule falls behind, you’ll need to consult a doctor to work out a catch-up plan.

The amounts and periods in this article are based on 2026 notices from Government24 and Bokjiro. Before applying, it’s safer to double-check current details on Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr) or the original source’s official website.

Sources

• Ministry of Health and Welfare – Child Allowance Guide (Bokjiro)
• Ministry of Gender Equality and Family – Idolbom Service