Welfare recipients set at 1,488,764 people.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare confirmed Friday that 1,488,764 people (640,000 households) have been finalized as recipients for the basic welfare system to be implemented Oct. 1. This is 31,308 less than the existing 1,520,072 welfare recipients. The ministry has been investigating potential beneficiaries of the system since May.

According to the system, families with less than subsistence-level income (a family of four with monthly average income of 930,000 won) will receive aid for living, medical and education expenses from the government, regardless of their working ability.

Of the 400,000 people among the finalized recipients, excluding those who are nursing physically disabled senior citizens or the like, 200,000 recipients with working ability will receive welfare on the condition that they participate in a self-support program.

The ministry forecast that the number of recipients would increase by 10,000-50,000 to 1.5-1.54 million people, taking into account new applicants after September and adjustments to its investigation results.

The ministry investigation was conducted on 1.52 million existing welfare recipients, including temporary recipients, and 420,000 new applicants, or a total of 1.94 million people. Around 270,000 (18%) of existing welfare recipients were disqualified while around 240,000 new applicants were accepted for the system.

The 7000 people who are not included in the system but suffer from rare and incurable diseases such as chronic renal insufficiency and hemophilia will be provided with funds for medical expenses until the end of this year. Moreover, their share of medical expenses will be exempted next year and they may participate in public work if desired.

Anyone forging documents or misrepresenting themselves in order to receive welfare benefits will need to return all the money received and will be subject to a maximum of one year in prison or a fine of 5 million won.