[비즈한국] The government will distribute a "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon" of up to 450,000 won per person to all citizens starting the 21st of this month. The base payment amount is 150,000 won per person, with 300,000 won provided to the next-lower income bracket and single-parent families, and 400,000 won to basic livelihood security recipients. In addition, residents outside the Seoul metropolitan area will receive an extra 30,000 won, and those living in rural areas facing population decline will receive an additional 50,000 won. A second consumption coupon of 100,000 won for 90% of the population is also scheduled to be provided following the first distribution.
Up to 450,000 Won for 1st Distribution, Application Required Starting the 21st
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a joint briefing with relevant ministries at the Government Complex Seoul on the 5th to announce the "1st Distribution Plan for Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons." Previously, the National Assembly held a plenary session the day before and passed this year's 2nd supplementary budget (extra budget) totaling 31.8 trillion won. This includes 12.1709 trillion won for the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon budget.
This measure is intended to boost consumption and revitalize the local economy and is the first livelihood support measure for all citizens implemented under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
The first distribution is targeted at all citizens. In principle, it is provided to South Korean citizens residing in the country as of June 18, the day before the announcement of the consumption coupon distribution plan. General citizens receive a base amount of 150,000 won per person. By income bracket, the support is increased to 300,000 won for the next-lower income bracket and single-parent families, and 400,000 won for basic livelihood security recipients. Based on additional regional support, residents living outside the metropolitan area receive an extra 30,000 won, and residents in rural areas experiencing population decline (84 cities/counties) receive an additional 50,000 won.
Accordingly, residents outside the metropolitan area will receive between 180,000 and 530,000 won, and residents in areas with declining populations will be eligible for 200,000 to 550,000 won.
Minor children can apply under the name of the head of the household registered in the resident registration. Foreigners are generally excluded, but those who meet certain requirements, such as permanent residents, marriage immigrants, and recognized refugees who are enrolled in health insurance, are included. If a citizen who was abroad for business or other reasons returns between June 18 and September 12, they can receive the payment after verification of entry/exit records and filing an objection.
What are the available regions and business types?
Although it is provided to all citizens, application is mandatory. You can apply for the consumption coupon online or offline for 8 weeks from 9:00 AM on the 21st to 6:00 PM on September 12. You must choose from credit/check cards, prepaid cards, or local gift certificates.
Those who want a card-type payment can apply through the apps, websites, or ARS of 9 card companies including KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, NH Nonghyup, Hyundai, BC, Samsung, and Lotte Card, or visit the windows of 15 banks including Kookmin Bank, Nonghyup, Post Office, and local banks. From the day after the application, the consumption coupon will be provided like credit card points and will be deducted first during card transactions.
Citizens who wish to receive paper-type local currency or prepaid cards can visit their local township, district, or village administrative welfare center (or resident center/township office) to apply and receive the coupon. Those who prefer mobile or card-type local gift certificates can apply online through the local currency app or website of their jurisdiction.
During the first week of application, a 5-day rotation system based on the last digit of the birth year will be applied to prevent congestion. Monday is 1 and 6, Tuesday 2 and 7, Wednesday 3 and 8, Thursday 4 and 9, and Friday 5 and 0. Everyone can apply on weekends.
As the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon is a measure for local economic recovery, its use is limited to the local government of the user's residence. Seoul residents can only use it in Seoul, and Gyeonggi residents can only use it within their respective cities or counties. Use is permitted at Hanaro Marts only in rural township areas where there are no other supermarkets. Delivery apps can be used if payments are made in person (such as "payment on arrival") using the merchant's own terminal.
The Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon can be used for approximately 4 months until November 30, and any remaining balance not used within this period will be returned to the national and local governments.
In particular, to prevent smishing damage involving impersonation of the government or financial institutions regarding this coupon, the government, card companies, and local currency issuers will not send any text messages containing URLs or links. Therefore, the ministry emphasized that extreme caution is required, such as immediately deleting any text messages inducing clicks on internet addresses without accessing the sites.
Separately from the first distribution, the second distribution will select 90% of the population based on health insurance premiums and provide an additional 100,000 won per person. To ensure equity between local health insurance subscribers and employee subscribers, the government plans to establish criteria to exclude high-asset individuals other than those based on health insurance premiums. Detailed information will be announced in September.
Kim Min-jae, Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety and head of the 범-government Task Force for Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons, said in the briefing, "We set the places of use and business categories to fulfill the purpose of supporting small business owners while allowing citizens to conveniently choose according to their individual consumption habits and circumstances."