Support for children who have left school or are struggling financially is split across different agencies depending on age and situation, so people often find one program and miss the rest.
1If your teen has left school or isn't attending
Kkumdream Out-of-School Youth Support Centers, a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family program for youth aged 9 to 24 who have stopped or left school, run counseling support, GED (qualification exam) study support, and job experience and employment support programs through about 220 local centers nationwide. You can contact your nearest center directly, or call Youth Counseling 1388 to be connected — operating hours vary by center, so check before visiting.
2If you have a young child in a low-income household
Dream Start provides integrated health, welfare, and education support to pregnant women and children aged 12 and under who need help — including households receiving basic livelihood benefits, single-parent and grandparent-headed households, and children who have experienced abuse or sexual violence. A city/county/district caseworker visits the home to assess the child's caregiving environment and development, then provides services connected to local resources along with ongoing case management. Contact your local Dream Start center or the main line (02-6454-8500).
3If you're a low-income young woman, don't miss the menstrual product support either
Young women aged 9 to 24 who receive livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits, belong to the near-poor bracket, or are supported under single-parent family assistance can get a monthly 14,000-won menstrual product voucher through the National Happiness Card. Apply online through the Bokjiro website or mobile app, or visit the eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center for the teen’s registered address — for inquiries, call 1566-3232.
Services mentioned in this guide
Kkumdream Out-of-School Youth Support Center
Integrated information on roughly 220 centers nationwide supporting the studies, career planning, and qualification-exam preparation of youth who have left school
Varies by center (inquire at 1388)
Operated by · 여성가족부
Cost · Free
Dream Start
A program that integrates health, welfare, and education support for pregnant women and children aged 12 and under in low-income households to help break the cycle of poverty
Varies by center (main inquiries 02-6454-8500)
Operated by · 보건복지부
Cost · Free
Menstrual Product Support Program for Young Women
A government program that provides low-income young women with a monthly voucher to buy menstrual products
Online applications anytime (in-person at community centers weekdays 9:00-18:00)
Operated by · 성평등가족부
Cost · Free