Health ministry expands care options for veterans with severe disabilities

The health ministry said it will allow state merit recipients with severe disabilities to choose between a monthly nursing allowance and activity support services starting in September. The change applies to beneficiaries under age 65 classified with disability grades 1 or 2.

The revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Disabled Persons Welfare Act was approved at a State Council meeting on July 28. Previously, while beneficiaries with disability grades 3 through 7 gained access to activity support in September 2024 if they did not receive the nursing allowance, those with more severe conditions remained excluded from the program.

Under the new rules, eligible individuals must first apply to forfeit their nursing allowance at a local veterans affairs office before requesting activity support at their neighborhood resident center. Applicants are required to complete their disability registration prior to applying for the service. The program provides assistance with daily living tasks, housekeeping, mobility, visiting nursing care and bathing help.

Support levels are determined through a comprehensive assessment, with monthly grants ranging from approximately 60 hours valued at 1.04 million won to a maximum of about 480 hours worth 8.29 million won.

"This institutional improvement is intended to expand the autonomous welfare selection rights of state merit recipients with disability grades 1 and 2 and strengthen substantial care support," said Yook Hyun-soo, director general of the Bureau of Patriots Medical Welfare at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

Cha Jeon-kyung, director general of the Disability Policy Bureau at the health ministry, described the activity support program as a representative welfare service that promotes independence for people with disabilities. "We will actively support the smooth provision of activity support services to state merit recipients who are registered as persons with disabilities," Cha said.