Single-Parent Families Not Receiving Child Support: Apply for “Advance Payment” from CSA!

-Starting Tuesday, July 1, the government will implement the “Advance Child Support Payment System,” under which it pays child support first and later collects it from the debtor. 

-Monthly support of KRW 200,000 per child will be provided until the child reaches adulthood. 

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) and the Child Support Agency (CSA) announced that the Advance Child Support Payment System will take effect starting Tuesday, July 1.

- This system allows the government to first pay child support to a custodial parent (the creditor) who has not received payment from the obligated parent (the debtor), and then recover the amount from the debtor at a later time.

- The system was introduced as part of the revised Act on Enforcing and Supporting Child Support Payment to ease the financial burden on custodial parents and ensure a stable upbringing environment for minors.

- If all eligibility requirements are met, the government will provide advance child support payments of up to KRW 200,000 per child per month until the child becomes an adult.

- The amount paid in advance by the government will be reclaimed from the child support debtor. If the debtor fails to repay despite receiving a collection notice and demand letter, the government will retrieve income and asset information—including financial data—without the debtor’s consent and recover the amount using procedures equivalent to the national tax collection process.

Custodial parents wishing to apply for the advance payment can do so through the CSA website or by mail. After a review of eligibility, payments will be made on the 25th of each month.

- For application forms and details, please refer to the CSA website (www.childsupport.or.kr) → Information Center → Resources Bulletin Board.

(Eligibility) Custodial parents raising a child aged 18 or younger who meet all of the following conditions:

① The child support debtor, who is obligated to make regular payments, has failed to do so three or more consecutive times in the three months prior to the application month or by the last day of the previous month. 

② The applicant’s household income does not exceed 150% of the median income. 

③ The applicant has requested legal or collection support from CSA, or legal proceedings for child support enforcement have been completed or are currently in progress

(How to Apply) Applications can be submitted via the CSA website (www.childsupport.or.kr) or by mail (Child Support Advance Payment Division, Child Support Agency, 24F, 173 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

(Counseling & Inquiries) Child Support Agency: 1644-6621

Vice Minister Shin Young-sook of MOGEF stated, “The implementation of the Advance Child Support Payment System is significant in that it allows the government to guarantee a certain level of child support for single-parent families, thereby helping to create a more stable child-rearing environment.” She added, “The system is also expected to contribute to strengthening the child-rearing responsibilities of non-custodial parents.”

Director Jeon Ji-hyun of CSA added, “We will make every effort to ensure that single-parent families can use the system without inconvenience—from application to payment.”