Starting Tomorrow, Apply for Emergency Disaster Relief Fund via Credit or Debit Card... No Sales-Based Restrictions on Usage Locations

Crackdown on Illegal Activities Such as Charging Fees for Credit and Debit Card Payments

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government's emergency disaster relief fund credit and debit card recharge application will begin tomorrow on the websites of nine card companies: KB Kookmin, NH Nonghyup, Lotte, BC, Samsung, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, and Hyundai Card.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 10th, the first week of emergency disaster relief fund applications will follow a day-of-the-week system, similar to the public mask 5-day rotation system.

Applicants can access the card companies' PC or mobile websites or mobile applications, and the recharge will be completed two days after the application date. The head of the household registered in the resident registration must apply in person and receive the payment on a card registered under their name.

The number of household members eligible for the emergency disaster relief fund can be checked on the website (긴급재난지원금.kr). Previously, this inquiry was also subject to the 5-day rotation system, but now it can be checked at any time.

When recharging credit or debit cards, applicants can choose to donate all or part of the support fund in units of 10,000 KRW on the card company’s website, and the remaining amount after the donation will be recharged onto the card.

The recharge amount received as the emergency disaster relief fund is distinguished from existing card points, and the usage method is the same as regular card usage. When paying at merchants, the amount is automatically deducted from the card bill.

The support fund can be used at all places where card payments are accepted within the metropolitan local government area based on the resident registration as of March 29, excluding restricted business sectors. It must be used by August 31 of this year, and any unused balance will expire. The amount used and current balance can be checked via card company text messages, websites, or customer centers.

Restricted business sectors include department stores, duty-free shops, large marts including corporate supermarkets, large electronics stores, online electronic commerce, businesses selling cashable items such as gift certificates and precious metals, entertainment businesses, hygiene businesses such as massage parlors, leisure businesses such as golf practice ranges, gambling industries, and illegal gambling industries. It cannot be used for tax payments, public utility fees, insurance premiums, transportation or communication fees, or automatic card transfers.

Specific restricted businesses may vary slightly depending on each card company’s business classification, so inquiries should be made to each card company’s website or customer center.

Previously, some local governments that issued their own disaster relief funds restricted usage to businesses with annual sales exceeding 1 billion KRW, but the government’s emergency disaster relief fund does not apply sales volume criteria. Regarding usage areas, it is not restricted to city or county units but can be used within metropolitan cities and provinces. Also, if used in restricted business sectors, a text message is sent immediately upon payment to confirm whether the disaster relief fund was used.

The government considers charging additional amounts under the name of fees, VAT, etc., when paying with credit or debit cards using the emergency disaster relief fund as a clear illegal act and will punish offenders according to relevant laws. To this end, 'Discriminatory Transaction and Illegal Distribution Reporting Centers' will be established and monitored by city and province.

Emergency disaster relief fund credit and debit card recharges can also be applied offline at bank counters linked with card companies starting from the 18th. Prepaid cards and local love gift certificates can also be applied for online and offline starting from the 18th.

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