Families fall into poverty in droves

About 1,000 families in Seoul have fallen into the lowest income bracket in each month of this year, city officials said yesterday.

The number of people signing up for basic living subsidies rose by about 1,000 each month this year to 117,933 so far, according to the officials.

Those earning less than the minimum monthly living cost of 1.32 million won ($985) for a family of four are eligible to apply for basic living subsidies.

"An increasing number of households tumbled into poverty under worsening economic conditions," a city official said.

"The city government will support families in crisis through its special relief programs."

The city recently discovered that some 76,000 families are getting along with less than the minimum cost of living but do not meet certain requirements to receive state subsidies.

These low-income families will be covered by the city`s special assistance programs, the metropolitan government said.

The city plans to provide up to 5 million won in cash, for example, to households whose main income earners lost jobs or went out of business.

Another aid program offers a monthly subsidy of 185,000 won for one-person households or 314,000 won for larger families surviving on less than the minimum wage, or gives them a chance to take part in the city`s public service projects.

Some 251,000 people were out of a job in Seoul earlier this month, up 18 percent compared to a year earlier.

Nationwide, the number of people receiving basic living subsidies hit a three-year high of 1,474,667 last month.

The number surged by nearly 6,000 in January, 10,900 in February and about 13,800 in March.

By Kim So-hyun



(sophie@heraldm.com)