Combined support services now available through Toss app with simple application process

[Provided by the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency]
[Provided by the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency]

The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency announced Tuesday that users can now apply for its combined financial, employment and welfare support services directly through the Toss app.

The combined support service helps low-income and vulnerable individuals address multiple hardships — financial, employment-related and welfare-related — through a single consultation and referral to relevant agencies. Since its full rollout in 2024, the service has connected about 130,000 people with various support programs aimed at helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency through the end of last year. The service is tailored to each applicant's needs based on income, age, type of support required and place of residence.

Adding Toss — the most widely used online platform in Korea — as an application channel is expected to significantly improve access for low-income users. The service was previously available only through in-person consultations at Korea Inclusive Finance Agency centers, the Seomin Finance Itda app and website, and the 1397 call center.

Users can tap the "Find government support for me" menu in the Toss app to receive personalized recommendations. Selecting a recommended service immediately redirects users to the Seomin Finance Itda website, where they can apply for employment, welfare and other policy services with ease.

In the second half of this year, the agency plans to expand the combined support service to cover public healthcare, retirement planning and small-business support. It will work with the National Medical Center and the National Cancer Center to build a referral system for patients needing medical care or financial assistance with medical costs. The agency will also partner with the National Pension Service's Retirement Preparation Support Center to strengthen retirement-related financial counseling. For small businesses in crisis, it plans to establish an integrated guidance and support system with Korea Asset Management Corp. covering business recovery and debt restructuring.

"We are continuously improving the combined support service so that vulnerable groups do not fall through the cracks due to debt or other financial hardships, and we are providing tailored guidance on a wide range of policy support programs spanning finance, employment and welfare," agency head Kim Eun-kyung said. "We will work closely with relevant agencies to expand linked services in areas such as public healthcare, retirement and small-business support."

Advisory notice on illegal private lending and excessive debt

Those exposed to illegal private lending can report it to the Financial Supervisory Service (☎1332) for assistance. Those struggling with excessive debt can seek help from the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency (☎1397) or the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (☎1600-5500).

※ Loan contracts with an annual interest rate exceeding 60 percent are void in both principal and interest.


won@heraldcorp.com