Applications and payments for South Korea’s high fuel price relief payment begin April 27, drawing attention to who qualifies and how much they can receive. The government is rolling out the program to help stabilize household finances as international oil prices rise and inflation pressures grow.
Payments vary by income and place of residence, ranging from 100,000 won per person to a maximum of 600,000 won. Basic livelihood security recipients will receive 550,000 won in the Seoul metropolitan area and up to 600,000 won outside the capital region. Near-poverty households and single-parent families will receive about 450,000 to 500,000 won. Among the general public, those in the bottom 70% by income can receive 100,000 won to as much as 250,000 won depending on region.
The schedule is split by group. Vulnerable households — including basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty households and single-parent families — will be paid first starting April 27. A second round of applications for the bottom 70% by income begins May 18.
People who want advance notice can sign up for application-period alerts through the National Secretary service. Alerts can also be set through Naver, KakaoTalk and Toss.
Applications and payments will be handled both online and in person. During the first week, a day-of-week system based on the last digit of a person’s birth year will be used to reduce crowding, as in past disaster relief programs.
Those who want the payment on a credit or debit card can apply online through their card issuer or a mobile payment app, or apply in person at a bank branch linked to the card. Card-based payments are charged the day after application, and the relief funds are used before regular card balances. Remaining balances will be provided by text message or app notifications.
Those who prefer a mobile or card-type local gift certificate can apply online through the local gift certificate app or website run by their local government. People seeking paper certificates or a prepaid card can visit their local eup, myeon or dong administrative welfare center.
The funds can be used through Aug. 31 at eligible small businesses in the recipient’s local jurisdiction, including merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. Use is restricted at certain businesses, including adult entertainment and gambling-related venues, online e-commerce and cash-convertible businesses. Any unused balance will expire automatically after the deadline.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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