National Support Fund for Single-Person Households with Annual Income Below 58 Million KRW... 100,000 Households Increase Due to Health Insurance Premium Hike

Additional 100,000 Households to Receive Payments Rounded Up to Nearest 1,000 Won
Recharge on Day After Application, Usage Amount Deducted Automatically
Not Usable at Starbucks, Chanel Stores, Coupang, Baedal Minjok, etc.

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The government will raise the annual income threshold for single-person households to receive the National Support Fund to 58 million KRW or less. To resolve cases where support funds are not received due to small differences, amounts less than 1,000 KRW in health insurance premiums will be rounded up. As a result, about 100,000 additional households will receive support funds.

On the morning of the 30th, the government held a joint briefing with related ministries at the Government Seoul Office and announced the detailed implementation plan for the 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund' containing these details.

◆ Raising the income threshold for single-person households and rounding up health insurance premiums adds '100,000 households' = Special criteria will be applied considering the characteristics of households for single-person and dual-income households. The annual income threshold for single-person households will be raised from the original 50 million KRW to 58 million KRW. Accordingly, single-person households with health insurance premiums of 170,000 KRW or less, whether workplace subscribers or regional subscribers, will receive support funds. For dual-income households, the number of household members is calculated by adding one more person. For example, a dual-income household of two people will be eligible if their premium is 250,000 KRW or less, which is the standard for a single-income household of three.

Foreigners will also receive support funds if they are registered on a resident registration with at least one Korean national and hold the same health insurance qualification as Koreans. However, permanent residents and marriage immigrants are eligible if they hold health insurance qualifications regardless of resident registration.

The eligibility for the National Support Fund is based on the combined household health insurance premiums assessed for June of this year. Amounts less than 1,000 KRW are rounded up. As a result, about 100,000 households will receive additional support funds.

For workplace subscribers, if the June health insurance premium personal burden is 200,000 KRW or less for two-person households, 250,000 KRW or less for three-person households, 310,000 KRW or less for four-person households, and 390,000 KRW or less for five-person households, they are eligible for the National Support Fund. For regional subscribers, the thresholds are 210,000 KRW for two-person households, 280,000 KRW for three-person households, 350,000 KRW for four-person households, and 430,000 KRW for five-person households. For mixed households, the thresholds are 200,000 KRW for two-person households, 260,000 KRW for three-person households, and 330,000 KRW for four-person households. Even if these criteria are met, households whose total property tax base exceeded 900 million KRW last year or whose total financial income (including interest and dividends) exceeded 20 million KRW last year are not eligible for support funds.

Even if the address is different, spouses and children who are dependents under the Health Insurance Act are considered one economic community and regarded as the same household as the subscriber. However, parents with different addresses are considered separate households. Dual-income couples are considered separate households, but if the combined insurance premium of the couple is advantageous, they can be recognized as the same household.

◆ Recharge the day after application, Starbucks delivery app excluded = Eligibility for the National Support Fund can be checked from 9 a.m. on the 6th of next month via credit card company websites, apps, call centers, ARS, and the National Health Insurance Service website and app. Applicants can choose their preferred method among credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, and local gift certificates through online or offline applications. Adults (born before December 31, 2002) apply and receive the National Support Fund individually. However, minors receive the support through the head of their resident registration household. Recharge occurs the day after application, and the used amount is automatically deducted from the card bill.

The criteria for places where the National Support Fund can be used have been tightened further. This reflects the policy intent to revive local neighborhood businesses whose sales have sharply declined due to COVID-19. Citizens with addresses in special or metropolitan cities can only use the support funds at local gift certificate affiliated stores located in those special or metropolitan cities. Citizens with addresses in provinces can use the funds at local gift certificate affiliated stores within the corresponding city or county. Usage is possible at traditional markets, neighborhood supermarkets, restaurants, hair salons, pharmacies, optical shops, clothing stores, academies, hospitals, and franchise affiliated stores. Accordingly, Starbucks, Chanel stores, Coupang, and Baedal Minjok (a food delivery app) are excluded from usage locations. However, even if ordering through delivery apps, if payment is made on-site using the local gift certificate affiliated store's own terminal, the National Support Fund can be used.

Meanwhile, a separate objection procedure will also be operated. If family relationships have changed due to marriage or childbirth after June 30, or if health insurance premium adjustments are necessary, objections can be filed. From the 6th of next month, applications can be submitted online via the National Petition System or at the local town, township, or neighborhood community service center in charge of the address.

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