Health ministry expands disabled job programs at cafe anniversary

The health ministry said Thursday it will expand support for disabled workers by raising training allowances and creating new subsidies as part of its 2027 budget plan. The announcement came during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the I got everything cafe chain, which employs people with severe disabilities.

The ministry plans to increase the number of participants in its disabled job program to 38,446 next year, up by 2,600 from the current level. To support this growth, the monthly training allowance for vocational rehabilitation will rise to 150,000 won from 130,000 won.

A new monthly training support payment of 100,000 won will be introduced starting in July for trainees at vocational rehabilitation facilities. The budget for management consulting services to help these facilities operate stably will increase to 1 billion won from 350 million won.

The I got everything cafe project began in 2016 with three stores and 14 workers before expanding to 118 locations by July 2026. Over the past decade, the initiative has provided stable employment to a total of 410 people with severe disabilities.

Cha Jeon-kyung, director of the disability policy bureau at the health ministry, served as a one-day intern during the event to experience store operations firsthand. "If the past 10 years provided confidence and independence, the next 10 years will be a springboard for more disabled people to pursue their dreams in various fields," Cha said.