Seoul City to Provide 500,000 Won Support to COVID-19 'Saenggye Wi-gi Gagu'... Online Applications Open from 10th

50 Million KRW Cash Support for Households with Median Income Below 75% and Assets Under 600 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 6th that it will begin accepting applications for the "Temporary Livelihood Support" starting from the 10th to assist households facing income reduction due to COVID-19.

The support targets households with income below 75% of the median income who are struggling financially due to job loss, business suspension, or other income reductions caused by the COVID-19 situation, but who have not received benefits from existing welfare programs or other COVID-19 damage support. However, households receiving Basic Livelihood Security (livelihood benefits), Emergency Welfare (livelihood support), or those who received the 4th round of COVID-19 disaster relief funds this year are excluded from eligibility.

Income reduction is determined if at least one household member’s earned income or business income from January to May 2021 has decreased compared to 2019 or 2020. The comparison periods include ▲average income of 2019 or 2020 ▲monthly income or average income for the first or second half of 2019 or 2020 ▲the same month in 2019 or 2020, and applicants may choose the most favorable period for which they can provide proof.

The temporary livelihood support payment is based on households registered in the resident registration as of March 1 of this year. The eligibility criteria are low-income households with income below 75% of the median income and assets under 600 million KRW.

Online applications are accepted until the 28th, and only the head of the household can apply after mobile phone identity verification. Applications are processed on an odd-even basis according to the last digit of the birth year. On-site applications can be submitted from 9 a.m. on the 17th until 6 p.m. on June 4, and the head of the household, household members, or authorized representatives (such as legal guardians) must visit the local community service center with identification of both the delegator and the representative.

When applying, applicants must complete the application form and consent form for providing personal information (for all household members), and submit proof of decreased earned or business income along with a copy of the payment request account and identification. After reviewing the income and assets of the applying households and checking for overlaps with other COVID-19 damage support programs, 500,000 KRW will be paid in cash starting in June.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of Welfare Policy, stated, "This temporary livelihood support aims to assist households in the blind spots of COVID-19 support by allowing various methods to prove income reduction, thereby lowering the support threshold. Seoul City will do its best to resolve citizens’ livelihood crises through swift and proactive project implementation."

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