Rep. So Byeong-hun Introduces Amendment to National Basic Livelihood Security Act to Address Welfare Blind Spots

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Rep. So Byeong-hun (Democratic Party·Gwangju-si District A, Gyeonggi Province) of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee has introduced the "Partial Amendment to the National Basic Livelihood Security Act" to reflect the actual economic conditions of supporters in the selection of basic livelihood assistance recipients and to establish a comprehensive social safety net for households with severe disabilities.

Currently, basic livelihood assistance is withheld if supporters' annual income (130 million won) or property (1.2 billion won) exceeds the threshold.

However, since calculations are based only on nominal figures of the household, cases have been continuously raised of families facing actual economic hardship due to substantial loans for housing or children's tuition being excluded from welfare benefits, falling into blind spots.

In particular, for individuals with severe disabilities who have limited work capacity and high fixed medical expenses, when supporters' income or property marginally exceeds the ceiling and assistance is immediately suspended, they face an immediate threat to their livelihood.

Accordingly, the amendment introduced by Rep. So Byeong-hun provides that △essential debt for living stability and children's education, such as housing and tuition loans, shall be deducted when calculating supporters' income and property, so that actual economic conditions are transparently reflected.

Additionally, △a "special exception for severely disabled basic livelihood assistance recipients" is established, allowing recipients to maintain their eligibility even if supporters' income or property exceeds the standard, provided that the recipient's own income recognition amount is below the standard.

However, the effectiveness and fairness of the system are ensured by differentially reducing basic livelihood assistance in stages according to the extent of supporters' excess and the recipient's work capacity.

Rep. So Byeong-hun stated, "The relaxation of the supporter standard intended to address welfare blind spots has not reflected the actual loan burdens or household characteristics in the field, continuing to create unfair situations for vulnerable groups," and emphasized, "Through this amendment, we will comprehensively restructure the safety net for minimum living standards guaranteed by law and provide greater protection to the truly vulnerable."