Dongjak-gu, Rapid Implementation of Emergency Disaster Relief Fund... Call Center Operation

Disaster Relief Fund TF Team Activated for Rapid Support Including Vulnerable Group Management and Civil Complaints... Integrated Call Center Operates Until June 25 Providing Consultation on Fund Application and Submission Methods

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Chang-woo Lee) is swiftly advancing the government's emergency disaster relief fund distribution to support residents facing difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The district has activated a disaster relief fund task force (TF) team composed of five units, including the project management team and budget support team, led by the deputy mayor, focusing all efforts on prompt support such as managing vulnerable groups and responding to civil complaints.

First, to ensure that no resident is left out of the benefits, an integrated call center will operate until June 25. Eight district employees will staff the call center, providing consultation services on eligibility, application, and submission methods for the relief fund.

Additionally, to prevent congestion and enhance convenience during application submissions, dedicated disaster relief fund counters will be set up in unused spaces such as auditoriums at 15 community service centers. Depending on the number of households per district, one to three dedicated counters will operate with assigned personnel.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, separate areas for filling out applications will be prepared, and measures such as temperature checks, installation of partitions between applicants and staff, and regular disinfection will be implemented.

Furthermore, for elderly or disabled single-person households with mobility difficulties, a visiting application service will be provided through telephone consultation.

The emergency disaster relief fund targets all residents registered in Dongjak-gu as of the payment reference date, March 29, totaling approximately 182,000 households. The support amount is 400,000 KRW for one-person households, 600,000 KRW for two-person households, 800,000 KRW for three-person households, and 1,000,000 KRW for households of four or more.

On the 4th, the district prioritized cash payments to vulnerable households such as recipients of basic livelihood security, basic pension, and disability pension without a separate application process. Using welfare system data, payments were deposited into existing benefit accounts, and in cases of account errors, verification will be expedited to complete payments by the 8th.

Other general households can choose their payment method from credit/debit cards, Seoul Love Gift Certificates, or prepaid cards, and apply on designated dates based on the last digit of the head of household’s birth year, similar to the mask 5-day rotation system.

Applications for the emergency disaster relief fund via credit/debit cards can be made online by the head of household through card company websites starting on the 11th, and from the 18th, in-person applications will be accepted at bank counters linked with the card companies. Seoul Love Gift Certificates can be applied for through a separately established website starting on the 11th.

Residents wishing to receive payments via prepaid cards must visit their respective community service centers starting on the 18th to apply in person. Household members or proxies must bring a power of attorney and identification for both the delegator and the delegatee when applying.

For inquiries, residents can check the Dongjak-gu Office website or contact the integrated call center at ☎820-1850~3.

Mayor Chang-woo Lee of Dongjak-gu stated, "We will swiftly proceed with the emergency disaster relief fund distribution to stabilize the lives of residents struggling due to COVID-19 and to revitalize the local economy." He added, "I ask all residents to thoroughly observe social distancing practices and hygiene rules as individuals responsible for infection prevention."

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