Starting Next Month 1st, Application for 1.5 Million KRW Payment to Special Employment and Leave Workers... What Are the Requirements?

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap is briefing on the contents of the "5th Emergency Economic Measures Meeting" chaired by President Moon Jae-in at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government will begin accepting applications for the 'COVID-19 Emergency Employment Stability Support Fund,' which provides 1.5 million KRW per person to special-type workers (teukgo), freelancers, and unpaid leave workers whose income or sales have decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting from the 1st of next month.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the implementation plan for the COVID-19 Emergency Employment Stability Support Fund.

The Emergency Employment Stability Support Fund is part of the special employment stability measures announced by the government on the 22nd of last month. It targets special-type workers such as private tutors, freelancers, small business owners, and workers on unpaid leave from March to May who have experienced a 25% or more decrease in income or sales during March to April of this year due to the COVID-19 situation.

After applying, 1 million KRW will be paid within two weeks, and the remaining 500,000 KRW will be paid in July after securing funds through the third supplementary budget.

The income or sales decrease rate for special-type workers, freelancers, and small business owners is calculated by comparing December of last year to January of this year. They must also meet the condition of not being enrolled in employment insurance.

Special-type workers and freelancers must have worked at least five days per month or earned at least 250,000 KRW monthly. Certain industries such as entertainment, nightlife, and gambling are excluded for small business owners.

Unpaid leave workers eligible for support must belong to companies with fewer than 50 employees enrolled in employment insurance. However, workers in industries severely affected by COVID-19, such as aircraft handling and hotel industries, are eligible regardless of company size.

To receive the support fund, household income must be at or below 150% of the median income (7,124,000 KRW for a family of four), or the individual's annual income must be 70 million KRW or less (annual sales of 200 million KRW or less).

Depending on income, those with an income or sales decrease rate between 25% and 50%, or unpaid leave days of 30 to 45 days (or 5 to 10 days per month), can receive the employment stability support fund.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor will accept applications for the employment stability support fund from the 1st of next month until July 20th via the internet website (https://covid19.ei.go.kr).

From the 1st to the 12th of next month, a five-day rotation system will be applied for application submissions. For example, on Mondays, applications will be accepted from people whose birth year ends with 1 or 6.

Those unfamiliar with internet use can apply at a nearby employment center starting July 1st by bringing their ID and supporting documents.

Starting from the 25th of this month, a 'mock verification service' will be available on the internet website to allow prospective recipients to check if they qualify for the support fund.

The employment stability support fund cannot be received concurrently with the regional employment response special support fund, local government small business support projects, the Employment Success Package, or the Youth Job-Seeking Activity Support Fund.

However, if the support funds received from these programs are less than 1.5 million KRW, the difference can be received as the employment stability support fund.

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