Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province is operating a safety net that combines a big data-based identification system, community spaces, and food support programs to identify households in welfare crises.
The initiative aims to proactively find citizens who may struggle to apply for welfare services and connect them with public and private services.
The 'Welfare Blind Spot Discovery System,' which utilizes big data AI, identifies households at risk of welfare crises based on 47 types of crisis information. This system will be operated five times this year.
Once a list of target households is created, tailored welfare teams in each district will conduct consultations and, if necessary, connect individuals to basic living security, emergency welfare, support for those just above the poverty line, community welfare projects, and disaster medical expense support.
A city official stated, "We have completed two rounds so far and plan to finish the remaining ones by the end of the year." However, they noted, "When we conduct phone consultations with the list, most do not qualify as at-risk households," adding that there have been few cases that led to actual support beyond information provision or mail notifications.
The number of identified at-risk households and the number of connections to welfare services have not yet been separately tallied.
Starting this year, the 'Loneliness Crisis Response System' will conduct four annual rounds of discovery and investigation using 27 types of crisis information, applying a 'loneliness risk assessment tool.' When the system detects warning signs, district and city counseling staff will conduct phone consultations, and if they cannot reach the individual, they will visit the home directly.
Additionally, the city is utilizing local human safety nets, such as honorary social welfare officials, to conduct field discoveries, a 'Welfare Crisis Alert App' for resident reports, notifications from tax delinquency management teams regarding suspected financially troubled individuals, the Gyeongnam Finding At-Risk Households project, and a reward system for reporting welfare crises.
The community space 'Hamkkehamo' opened on June 17 and is available for use by all local residents, including single-person households. The first location is operated by the Jinju Regional Self-Support Center on Namgang-ro, while the second location is run by the Jinju City Association of the Disabled on the first floor of the Daebongsaetul Center on Uigok-gil. The space offers convenience foods like instant noodles and provides welfare information, aiming to identify isolated households through natural interactions.
As of this month, the first location serves about 10 to 15 people daily, while the second location serves about 7 to 8 people, according to city officials.
A city official remarked, "As we promote the space, the number of users is gradually increasing." However, they added that there have been no cases where individuals classified as at-risk households were connected to welfare services through their use of Hamkkehamo.
The city is also running social networking programs such as 'Our Neighborhood Manager,' a neighbor check-in campaign, an SNS initiative for checking on single-person households, and self-help groups.
The 'Just Dream' project supplements existing food markets and food banks by providing food and daily necessities to citizens who are in welfare blind spots or who find it difficult to seek help due to social stigma. Since May 20, it has been operating every Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Jinju City Food Market's 'Just Dream Corner,' offering 3 to 5 packages per person, capped at 20,000 won. Users can access the service once a month, with a maximum of three visits.
Unlike the food market, which pre-selects recipients through district offices at the beginning of the year, Just Dream is available to anyone without restrictions. During the process, social workers conduct basic consultations to assess crisis situations. From May to July, 570 packages were provided, and during the heatwave, ice water was also distributed. The city is also operating a 'Mobile Just Dream' service that delivers directly to those who apply through district offices.
First introduced in Gimhae City last year, this initiative has been expanded to all of Gyeongsangnam-do this year, with Jinju City implementing it for the first time.
A city official stated, "As public awareness increases, the demand for related services is steadily rising," adding that they plan to continue the program beyond next year.
They emphasized, "Addressing welfare blind spots requires not only the efforts of administrative agencies but also the interest and participation of the entire community," stating their commitment to establishing a robust welfare safety net to identify at-risk households early and prevent social isolation, thereby safeguarding the ordinary lives of citizens.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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