EasyTicket If you’re a young person working at a small or medium-sized business in Gyeonggi Province, you can receive welfare points worth up to KRW 1.2 million a year. Eligibility comes down to three main factors — age, work conditions, and income — and recruitment runs twice a year, in the first and second half. This article covers everything you need to know about Youth Welfare Points: eligibility, benefit amount, where to use it, and how to apply.
What Are Youth Welfare Points?
Youth Welfare Points is a point-based benefit that Gyeonggi Province provides to improve the welfare of young workers employed at small and medium-sized enterprises, mid-sized companies, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations. Rather than cash, you receive it as points that can be used at a dedicated welfare mall (Gyeonggi Youth Mall).
Youth Welfare Points is one part of Gyeonggi Province’s Youth Worker Support Program. It’s run by the Gyeonggi Job Foundation, and applications are accepted through the Youth Worker Support Program website (Jobaba).
Here’s the core idea: even doing the same work, young people at small and medium-sized businesses tend to have fewer welfare benefits than those at large corporations or public institutions — this program exists to close that gap. That’s why employees of public institutions and large corporations aren’t eligible to apply.
Eligibility for Youth Welfare Points at a Glance
To be eligible for Youth Welfare Points, you must meet all four conditions: age, residence, work conditions, and income. Here’s a table breaking it down.
| Item | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age | 19–39 years old (up to 3-year extension for those who completed military service) |
| Residence | Living in Gyeonggi Province as of the application date |
| Workplace | SME, mid-sized company, small business, or nonprofit located in Gyeonggi Province |
| Employment period | Employed for 6 months or more as of the recruitment announcement date |
| Work hours | Working 36 hours or more per week |
| Income criteria | Workplace health insurance premium at or below a set amount (specified in each round’s announcement) |
Who Can’t Apply
- Employees of public institutions or public enterprises
- Employees of large corporations
- Those currently on a leave of absence
- Those currently serving in the military
- Those who have already received Youth Welfare Points before (no repeat participation)
The upper limit on workplace health insurance premiums used for the income criteria is specified separately in each round’s announcement. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, be sure to check that round’s announcement before applying.
How Much Do You Get, and Where Can You Use It?
Benefit Amount
You receive welfare points worth up to KRW 1.2 million per year. It’s not paid all at once — it’s typically split into 2 payments (for example, KRW 600,000 after selection, then another KRW 600,000 the following quarter).
Where to Use It
The points you receive can only be used at the Gyeonggi Youth Mall (the designated welfare mall within Jobaba).
- Daily necessities and food
- Home appliances
- Health and beauty products
- Books and cultural content
- Clothing and accessories, etc.
You can’t withdraw it as cash, and it can’t be used anywhere other than the designated welfare mall. Keep in mind that, unlike a card, it can’t be used for payment just anywhere.
How to Apply for Youth Welfare Points
The entire application process is online. You apply yourself through the Youth Worker Support Program website (Jobaba), run by the Gyeonggi Job Foundation.
Application Process
- Check the recruitment announcement (Jobaba website)
- Sign up and log in
- Go to Youth Worker Support Program → apply for Youth Welfare Points
- Enter your personal and employment details
- Upload the required documents
- After submitting, wait for review and the selection announcement
Required Documents Checklist
- Abbreviated copy of resident registration (including military service record)
- Health insurance eligibility confirmation
- Health insurance premium payment confirmation for the last 6 months
- Certificate of employment or employment contract
- Four major social insurances enrollment record
Most of these documents can be issued for free through Government24 and the National Health Insurance Service website. If you get them ready before recruitment opens, you’ll have much more breathing room when things get busy near the deadline.
Payment Schedule and Recruitment Timing
Youth Welfare Points is typically recruited twice a year, split into the first and second half. As each recruitment period approaches, announcements go up on the Jobaba website and in Gyeonggi Job Foundation notices, so it’s a good idea to set up alerts so you don’t miss your window.
| Category | Typical Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st recruitment | First half (around June) | Usually around 10,000 people |
| 2nd recruitment | Second half (Aug–Nov) | Recruits remaining slots |
| Selection announcement | About 1 month after application closes | Announced on Jobaba website |
| Point payment | Sequential after selection | Split into 2 payments |
Selection Criteria
If applicants outnumber the available slots, priority goes to those with the lowest average health insurance premiums. The structure favors lower income, so keep in mind that meeting the eligibility criteria doesn’t guarantee selection.
The final payment of points is usable for only 3 months, including the month it’s paid. It’s best to plan ahead and spend it within that window as soon as you receive it.
Things to Know Before You Apply
Youth Welfare Points is popular enough that recruitment can close within hours of opening. Avoiding a few common pitfalls makes the process much smoother.
- 6-month employment requirement as of the announcement date — even a few days’ difference in your start date can mean waiting for the next round.
- Under 36 hours/week is excluded — reduced hours and part-time work don’t qualify.
- You must apply yourself — your company won’t apply on your behalf.
- No repeat payouts — once you’ve received it, you can’t reapply.
- Manage your points’ expiration — unused points can disappear shortly after the program period ends.
If money is tight, it’s worth looking into other public support programs too. For example, check out The Complete Guide to National Happiness Fund Small Loan Eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can interns or contract workers apply?
Yes, regardless of employment type — as long as you’re enrolled in the four major social insurances and have worked 36+ hours a week for 6+ months, you can apply. Whether you’re a regular employee isn’t the deciding factor.
Q. What if my company is located outside Gyeonggi Province?
Your workplace (business location) must be within Gyeonggi Province. Even if you personally live in Gyeonggi, you’re not eligible if your company is in Seoul or Incheon.
Q. I wasn’t selected. Can I apply again in the next round?
Yes, you can reapply in a different round within the same year. However, if you’ve ever been selected and received points before, you can’t apply again.
Q. Does military service count toward the age calculation?
If you’ve completed mandatory military service, the upper age limit is extended by up to 3 years. For example, if you served for 2 years, you remain eligible until age 41.
Q. Can I use points to buy gift certificates?
Only for products and services sold on the welfare mall. Cash-equivalent items (such as some gift certificates) may be restricted, so check the usage guidelines before you check out.
Final Checklist
- Age 19–39, residing in Gyeonggi Province
- Employed for 6+ months at an SME or mid-sized company in Gyeonggi Province
- Working 36+ hours per week
- Meet the health insurance premium criteria
- Have all 5 required documents ready in advance
- Signed up on the Jobaba website
- Set an alert for the recruitment start date
If you meet the conditions, you’ll get KRW 1.2 million worth of welfare mall points a year. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and prepared your documents in advance, applying itself isn’t difficult. So you can move the moment the next recruitment announcement goes up, finish checking your eligibility today.