Disability personal budget pilot serves 911 people this year across 33 local jurisdictions

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 911 people participated in the disability personal budget pilot from the beginning of this year through the 20th of this month, with a support budget of 1,602 million won. Both participation and the budget were more than four times their levels in the program's first year, 2024, when there were 207 participants and a budget of 357 million won.

People with disabilities can apply if they use at least one of four services: personal assistance for people with disabilities, daytime activities for people with developmental disabilities, after-school activities for adolescents with developmental disabilities, or developmental rehabilitation. Up to 20% of the value of the relevant service vouchers can be used to purchase goods or obtain services of their choice.

Existing disability welfare arrangements provided the same services to recipients, sometimes leaving people unable to use them because of personal circumstances or receiving services they did not need. The personal budget program allows the same funding to be used for individual needs.

However, the program operates in only 33 cities, counties and districts nationwide. It was originally due to become a full program and expand nationwide this year, but amendments to relevant laws were delayed; budget and other constraints mean that only 911 of this year's 1,700 applicants, or 53.6%, are receiving support.

Participants currently purchase goods or services first and receive reimbursement afterward. The government aims to establish a legal basis next year and expand nationwide from 2028, while Park Moon-su, director of disability policy at the ministry, said plans for next year's fourth pilot include introducing an electronic voucher card and revising support periods and calculation methods.

Physical health, including assistive device purchases and rehabilitation programs, accounted for the largest share of last year's pilot spending at 34.4%. Childcare and education followed at 23.8%, daily living including mobility support at 14.4%, and housing at 11.2%.

In a survey of 396 participants from last year, 389 people, or 98.2%, said they were satisfied with the program. Those who said it was very helpful for independent living numbered 288, or 72.7%.