With the June 3 local elections looming, municipalities nationwide are rapidly rolling out cash “congratulatory” payments. From longevity bonuses and marriage grants to birth payments, these cash supports tied to life events have attracted growing attention.
Local governments say these programs are meant to share residents’ milestones and bolster local pride. Critics, however, view the timing as potential vote-buying ahead of the polls.
Whatever the political debate, eligible residents should not overlook benefits that are already in effect. If your parents are over 80, now is the time to check eligibility.
Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province introduced a longevity bonus this year for residents aged 90 and older. The county passed an ordinance in September and secured 59 million KRW (≈ $44,250) in funding. The benefit is a one-time payment of 500,000 KRW (≈ $375) in local currency.
Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province and Buyeo County in South Chungcheong also began paying 500,000 KRW (≈ $375) to residents aged 100 and over this year. Yeongcheon City in North Gyeongsang Province created a new program to give 200,000 KRW (≈ $150) during the recipient’s birthday month to veterans aged 90 and above. Yeongcheon is the first municipality in the province to offer longevity payments specifically for elderly veterans.
Benefits go beyond longevity payments. Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province will give 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) to 100 newlywed couples this year. Jeonju in North Jeolla Province eliminated differential birth grants for first, second and third children and now provides a one-time 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) payment to every birth.
Haeundae District in Busan will provide newly adoptive families with 200,000 KRW (≈ $150) per month as an adoption grant. That amount is additional to the government’s 2,000,000 KRW (≈ $1,500) subsidy, making it the first extra district-level support of this kind among Busan’s basic municipalities.
Some potential local election candidates have criticized these measures as populist spending timed to influence voters. Still, where programs already exist, eligible residents must apply to receive benefits. Criticism aside, people should claim what they are entitled to.
Longevity payments vary widely across Seoul’s districts. Yongsan District pays 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) once to residents who reach 100 and have lived in the district at least three years. Nowon District provides staged payments: 100,000 KRW (≈ $75) at age 90 and 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) at 100.
Geumcheon District pays 100,000 KRW at age 95 and 1,000,000 KRW at 100, but applicants must apply at least one month before their birthday. Seocho District pays 1,000,000 KRW to those aged 99 and older, while Jongno District offers 500,000 KRW at age 100. Gwanak District gives recipients the option to receive goods valued at 500,000 KRW instead of cash.
Yeongdeungpo District issues annual payments in the recipient’s birth month: 50,000 KRW per year for ages 95–99 and 100,000 KRW per year for those 100 and above. Guro District pays 1,000,000 KRW to 100-year-olds and offers an additional filial piety allowance of 200,000 KRW per year to families who directly care for parents aged 100 or older (those in institutional care are excluded). Gwangjin District pays 300,000 KRW each year in the birthday month to low-income residents aged 90 and above.
In Gyeonggi Province, Gwacheon City stands out by paying 1,000,000 KRW to residents aged 90 and older. Gunpo City provides 200,000 KRW at ages 80, 90 and 100; applicants must apply at an administrative welfare center between one month and one year before their birthday. Guri City automatically selects eligible residents and pays 200,000 KRW at age 88 and 1,000,000 KRW at age 100 without individual applications, provided recipients have lived in the city at least one year. Hwaseong City provides a regular longevity allowance of 30,000 KRW per month to residents aged 85 and older, excluding basic pension recipients. Yeoncheon County pays 20,000 KRW per month to residents aged 80 and above and provides in-kind goods during Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
In Incheon, Gyeyang District pays 1,000,000 KRW once to 100-year-olds, and Ganghwa County provides 300,000 KRW in cash plus bedding valued at about 200,000 KRW.
Daejeon Seo District pays 1,000,000 KRW each year to 100-year-olds who have lived there at least two consecutive years; applicants must apply within three months of their birthday. Sejong City pays a one-time 300,000 KRW at age 100. Yeongcheon City automatically pays 200,000 KRW in the birthday month to veterans aged 90 and above with no separate application required. Ulsan Buk District pays 1,000,000 KRW to 100-year-olds who have lived there at least five years.
Apply for longevity payments at your local eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center. Some localities accept online applications via Government24 (gov.kr). Prepare the longevity payment application form, the applicant’s ID, and a copy of the applicant’s bank book. If the applicant cannot visit in person, a family member may apply on their behalf with a power of attorney, the proxy’s ID, and a family relation certificate.
Timing is crucial. Most localities do not permit retroactive applications after a birthday, so contact your resident center at least one month before the birthday. Longevity payments are a separate program and can be received alongside the basic pension. Eligibility depends on residency and age requirements; income and assets are not considered.
If your parents are over 80, make a phone call to your resident center today. Securing benefits for people who worked their whole lives is a simple and meaningful way to show filial care.
[ Seoul ]
Jongno District / Age 100 / 500,000 KRW once (≈ $375) / At least 1 year residence
Yongsan District / Age 100 / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 3 years residence
Nowon District / Age 90: 100,000 KRW; Age 100: 1,000,000 KRW / Cash once / At least 1 year residence
Gwangjin District / Low-income residents aged 90+ / 300,000 KRW per year (≈ $225) / Paid in birthday month each year / At least 1 year residence
Yeongdeungpo District / Ages 95–99: 50,000 KRW per year (≈ $37.50); Age 100+: 100,000 KRW per year (≈ $75) / Paid in birth month each year
Geumcheon District / Age 95: 100,000 KRW; Age 100: 1,000,000 KRW / Cash once / At least 1 year residence / Apply at least 1 month before birthday
Seocho District / Age 99+ / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 1 year residence
Guro District / Age 100 (born 1926) / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 1 year residence / Extra filial piety allowance 200,000 KRW per year (≈ $150) for families caring for parents 100+ (institutionalized residents excluded)
Gwanak District / Age 100+ / Choice of goods valued at 500,000 KRW (≈ $375) instead of cash
Gangdong District / Age 100 / Cash payment + mayor’s personal birthday visit and celebration
[ Gyeonggi ]
Gwacheon City / Age 90+ / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 1 year residence
Guri City / Age 88: 200,000 KRW (≈ $150), Age 100: 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) / Automatic payment in birth month / At least 1 year actual residence / No individual application; city selects recipients
Gunpo City / Ages 80, 90, 100: 200,000 KRW each (≈ $150) / Paid in birth month / At least 1 year residence / Apply at administrative welfare center between 1 month and 1 year before birthday
Anseong City / Age 100 / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 1 year residence
Hwaseong City / Age 85+ / 30,000 KRW per month (≈ $22.50) longevity allowance / At least 1 year residence / Excludes basic pension recipients
Pocheon City / Born before Dec 31, 1943 / 20,000 KRW per month (≈ $15) allowance / Paid on the 25th of each month
Yeoncheon County / Age 80+ 20,000 KRW per month (≈ $15); Age 100+ receives daily necessities; in-kind gifts also on Lunar New Year and Chuseok
[ Incheon ]
Gyeyang District / Age 100 / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 1 year residence
Ganghwa County / Age 100 / 300,000 KRW cash (≈ $225) + bedding valued about 200,000 KRW (≈ $150)
[ Gangwon ]
Hongcheon County / Age 90+ (born 1936; those born in 1935 or earlier may also apply this year) / 500,000 KRW in local currency once (≈ $375) / New in 2026
[ Chungcheong / Daejeon ]
Daejeon Seo District / Age 100 (born 1926) / 1,000,000 KRW per year (≈ $750) / At least 2 consecutive years residence (no moves outside district) / Apply within 3 months of birthday
Sejong City / Age 100 / 300,000 KRW once (≈ $225)
[ Gyeongsang ]
Yeongcheon City, North Gyeongsang / Veterans aged 90+ / 200,000 KRW per year (≈ $150) / Automatic payment in birthday month / No separate application needed
Seongnam City, Gyeonggi / Age 100 / 1,000,000 KRW (≈ $750) / At least 1 year continuous residence
Ulsan Buk District / Age 100 / 1,000,000 KRW once (≈ $750) / At least 5 years residence
[ Common application info ]
Where to apply: Visit the local eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center for your residence (some areas accept online applications via Government24)
Required documents: Longevity payment application form, applicant ID, copy of applicant’s bank book
Proxy application: Bring power of attorney, proxy ID, and family relation certificate
Can be received together with the basic pension (separate programs)
Many localities don’t allow retroactive claims, so confirm at least one month before the birthday
※ Because local ordinances change, amounts, eligibility and procedures may change each year. Confirm specifics at Government24 (gov.kr) or your local resident center.
