Income cap scrapped for child support advance program — apply starting Oct. 29

After her divorce, A raised her child alone while shouldering all household expenses. Her child was studying sports, and the monthly training costs were considerable — but when her former spouse abruptly stopped paying child support, the financial strain became overwhelming. Watching her child silently accept worn-out sneakers and clothes that no longer fit, A ultimately turned to the Child Support Enforcement Agency and applied for the government's child support advance program.

Starting next month, the government will scrap the income eligibility requirement for the advance child support program, which pays child support upfront to single-parent families like A's who are not receiving payments from a former spouse. Going forward, any applicant who meets the basic eligibility criteria will qualify for support regardless of income level.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced Monday that it will abolish the income threshold for the advance child support program effective Oct. 29.

Under the program, the government pays child support in advance on behalf of non-custodial parents to the minor children of single-parent families who are not receiving payments, then seeks to recover the disbursed amounts from the non-paying parent.

The program launched last July with the aim of ensuring children receive the support they need on time while holding non-paying parents continuously accountable.

According to the ministry, in the roughly one year since the program launched last July through August, a total of 23.1 billion won ($16.7 million) in child support was paid in advance to 12,924 minor children across 8,188 households.

Previously, single-parent families with incomes exceeding 150 percent of the median household income were barred from applying. Under the revised rules, income will no longer be a factor.

To be eligible, applicants must hold a child support bond and have received average monthly child support payments over the three months immediately before applying that fall below the advance payment amount. Applicants who have filed for legal assistance or debt collection support through the Child Support Enforcement Agency to secure payment compliance — or who are in the process of doing so or have already completed such procedures — also qualify.

Once approved, custodial parents can receive up to 200,000 won per child per month until each child reaches adulthood. Applications can be submitted through the Child Support Enforcement Agency's website or by mail.

The government also plans to expand cooperation with the National Tax Service and other relevant agencies to improve the effectiveness of recovering advance payments.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung said child support is "a fundamental right necessary for a child's survival and development," adding that the ministry would "actively spread awareness so that no family misses out on support simply because they did not know about the advance program, and will also strengthen enforcement of child support obligations."