'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund' Online Application Starts May 11 ... Inquiry Available from May 4

Choose from Credit Card, Debit Card, Local Love Gift Certificate, or Prepaid Card
Emergency Support Households Will Receive Cash Without Separate Application Starting May 4

On the 28th, during the comprehensive policy inquiry on the second supplementary budget bill for emergency disaster relief payments, most lawmakers' seats were empty. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the supplementary budget for the 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund' to guarantee the livelihood and income of citizens struggling due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was approved at the National Assembly plenary session on the 29th, the general public will be able to receive the support fund starting from the 13th of next month.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 30th, citizens can check whether they are eligible recipients (head of household) of the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund and the number of household members from May 4th on a separate website (긴급재난지원금.kr).

The government will provide the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund in the form of cash, credit/debit cards, local love gift certificates, or prepaid cards depending on the applicant and payment method. The amount provided is 400,000 KRW for a single-person household, 600,000 KRW for a two-person household, 800,000 KRW for a three-person household, and 1,000,000 KRW for households of four or more.

First, about 2.7 million households in need of urgent support, such as those receiving livelihood benefits, basic pensions, or disability pensions, will receive cash starting May 4th without separate application or visits.

Citizens who do not receive cash can choose one of credit/debit cards, local love gift certificates, or prepaid cards to receive the support fund.

The Emergency Disaster Relief Fund through credit/debit cards is charged as points that can be used like cash. When using the card in eligible industries or regions, the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund is deducted first.

To receive the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund via credit/debit cards, applicants can apply online through the card company’s website starting May 11th. Offline applications at bank branches linked with card companies will be available from May 18th.

Citizens will have the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund charged as points to their credit/debit cards about two days after the application date. If applied online on the 11th, they can receive it as early as the 13th. However, Citi Card is excluded from the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund point accumulation.

Citizens wishing to receive the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund in the form of local love gift certificates or prepaid cards can apply from the 18th at town, township, and neighborhood community service centers and local treasury banks. Specific application schedules may be partially changed depending on local government circumstances.

Also, local love gift certificates or prepaid cards may have some restrictions on usage areas, eligible industries, and usage periods. Mobile local love gift certificates are also available in Seoul, Ulsan, and other areas.

Considering that all citizens are eligible for the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund application, a 'weekday application system' is being considered to prevent a rush of applications at once. Similar to the five-day rotation system used for public mask sales, applications will be adjusted so that only one day from Monday to Friday is available based on the last digit of the birth year.

Jin Young, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "We hope that the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund will be provided promptly to help citizens who are experiencing difficulties," and added, "We will thoroughly prepare with local governments so that citizens can apply for the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund without inconvenience and receive it quickly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.