The Housing Benefit is a government support program that either subsidizes monthly rent or repairs owner-occupied homes for households whose income falls below a set threshold. It is based on the Housing Benefit Act, and eligible foreign nationals and refugees can apply. You can apply in person at the Eup/Myeon/Dong Community Service Center (주민센터) that covers your registered address, or apply online at Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr).
Eligibility for Foreign Nationals and Refugees
To apply for the Housing Benefit, you must first have completed alien registration under Article 31 of the Immigration Act. On top of that, you must meet at least one of the five conditions listed below.
(A) A foreign national currently married to a Korean national
You must also have a Korean national household member with whom you share a livelihood or residence, and you must meet at least one of the following three conditions:
- You or your Korean-national spouse is pregnant.
- You are raising a minor child who holds Korean nationality (including step-parent and adoptive-parent relationships).
- You share a livelihood or residence with your spouse’s Korean-national lineal ascendants.
(B) A foreign national who is divorced from, or whose spouse has died, and who was married to a Korean national
You must currently be raising a minor child who holds Korean nationality (including step-parent and adoptive-parent relationships). In this case as well, there must be a Korean national household member with whom you share a livelihood or residence.
Minor child standard: under 19 years of age (Civil Act, Article 4). Raising means sharing a livelihood or residence with the child. Please note that if a child is placed in an institution, this does not count as raising them.
(C) A foreign national pregnant with the child of a deceased Korean-national spouse
Even if your spouse has passed away, you may still apply if you are pregnant with that spouse’s child.
(D) A refugee officially recognized by the Minister of Justice
This applies to someone who has been officially recognized as a refugee by the Minister of Justice under Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Refugee Act and is currently staying in Korea (based on Article 32 of the Refugee Act, which covers basic living security).
When applying, you must submit both your Alien Registration Card and your Refugee Recognition Certificate.
(E) An Afghan special contributor recognized by the Minister of Justice
This applies to someone who has been recognized as an Afghan special contributor by the Minister of Justice under Article 14-2 of the Act on the Treatment of Foreigners in Korea and is currently staying in Korea.
When applying, you submit your Alien Registration Card, and the handling official separately confirms your status as a special contributor through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). First-degree lineal descendants (children) born after the Afghan special contributor’s arrival in Korea are also included as household members under this benefit.
Income Criteria (Selection Standard)
To receive the Housing Benefit, your household’s recognized income amount (소득인정액) must be at or below 48% of the standard median income (2026 standard; see the MyHome Portal for details).
2026 selection thresholds by household size (maximum recognized income per month):
| Household size | Maximum recognized income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | approx. 1,230,000 KRW |
| 2 persons | approx. 2,020,000 KRW |
| 3 persons | approx. 2,570,000 KRW |
| 4 persons | approx. 3,120,000 KRW |
| 5 persons | approx. 3,630,000 KRW |
| 6 persons | approx. 4,110,000 KRW |
These figures change every year. Before applying, please confirm the most current information at the MyHome Portal or by contacting the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office.
Eligibility is determined based solely on the applying household’s own recognized income amount, regardless of the income or assets of any legally obligated supporters (부양의무자) such as parents or children.
Types of Housing Benefit
1. Rental Benefit (Monthly Rent Support)
This is paid to people who are living in someone else’s property under a rental agreement and are actually paying rent. The amount provided is capped at the standard rent set for your region and household size, and is scaled according to income level.
The 2026 standard rent caps (monthly, in KRW) vary by region and household size as follows:
| Household size | Zone 1 (Seoul) | Zone 2 (Gyeonggi/Incheon) | Zone 3 (Other metro cities) | Zone 4 (All other areas) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 369,000 | 300,000 | 247,000 | 212,000 |
| 2 persons | 414,000 | 335,000 | 275,000 | 238,000 |
| 3 persons | 492,000 | 401,000 | 327,000 | 283,000 |
| 4 persons | 571,000 | 463,000 | 381,000 | 329,000 |
| 5 persons | 591,000 | 479,000 | 394,000 | 340,000 |
| 6 persons | 699,000 | 568,000 | 463,000 | 402,000 |
How the payment amount is calculated
- If recognized income amount is at or below the livelihood benefit selection threshold: full standard rent (or actual rent, whichever is lower) is covered.
- If recognized income amount exceeds the livelihood benefit selection threshold: the amount paid is the standard rent (or actual rent) minus a self-contribution amount.
Self-contribution = (Recognized income amount - Livelihood benefit selection threshold) x 30%
If your actual rent is lower than the standard rent, the calculation uses your actual rent. If you have a deposit (jeonse or security deposit), the deposit is converted to a monthly equivalent by applying an annual rate of 4%, then added to the monthly rent to arrive at the total actual rent figure.
How payment is made
- Deposited directly into the recipient’s own bank account on the 20th of each month.
- If you live in housing managed by a public institution such as LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation), payment goes to that institution’s account.
- You will be notified of the decision within 30 days of the application date (or within 60 days if there are special circumstances).
2. Home Repair Benefit (Repairs to Owner-Occupied Housing)
If you own your home and live in it yourself, the government will carry out repairs based on the condition of the property. This is provided as actual construction work, not as cash.
The scope of repairs is divided into three levels based on a housing survey:
| Repair level | Scope |
|---|---|
| Minor repair | Light work such as wallpaper and flooring |
| Moderate repair | Intermediate work such as windows, insulation, and heating |
| Major repair | Structural work such as the roof or load-bearing elements |
Support amounts and cycles may change annually through official notices. Before applying, please confirm the most current information by contacting 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office.
Apartments and other multi-unit buildings may be excluded from the Home Repair Benefit; eligibility is determined after a housing survey.
How to Apply
Where to Apply
- In person: at the Eup/Myeon/Dong Community Service Center that covers your registered address — applications are accepted year-round.
- Online: through Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr).
- If you do not have a fixed address, apply at the Eup/Myeon/Dong Community Service Center (or the city/county/district office) that covers your actual place of residence.
Required Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Social Security Benefit Application Form | Completed and provided at the Community Service Center |
| Financial Information Consent Form | Completed and provided at the Community Service Center |
| Certificate of Alien Registration | The handling official will first check this electronically; you only need to submit a paper copy if the electronic check is not possible |
| Refugee Recognition Certificate | Required for recognized refugees only |
Steps After Applying
- Income and asset review: The recognized income amount of your household is calculated.
- Housing survey: A dedicated survey agency checks your rental agreement and inspects the actual condition of your housing.
- Notification of selection result: You will be informed of the outcome within 30 days of the application date (or within 60 days if there are special circumstances).
- Benefit provision: If selected, the rental benefit is deposited into your account on the 20th of each month, or repair work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am currently in the process of applying for refugee status (my case is still under review). Can I apply? No. The special provision for foreign nationals under the Housing Benefit applies only to people who have been finally recognized as a refugee by the Minister of Justice. If your refugee application is still being reviewed, or if you hold a humanitarian stay permit (G-1), this provision does not apply to you.
Q. I have not yet completed alien registration. Can I apply? Alien registration is a basic requirement for all eligibility categories. Please complete your alien registration at your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office first, and then apply.
Q. I am currently living separately from my Korean-national spouse. Can I still apply? For categories (A) and (B), there is a condition that you must share a livelihood or residence with a Korean national household member. If you are living apart, you may not meet this condition. Please consult your Community Service Center or call 1345 first.
Reference Links
- MyHome Portal - Housing Benefit information and selection criteria (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
- Bokjiro - Online Housing Benefit application
- Government24 - Housing Benefit application
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport - 2024 Housing Benefit selection criteria and minimum benefit level notice
- Inquiries: 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, 24-hour multilingual service)