250,000 KRW per person National Support Fund application begins, today ends with 1 or 6... Beware of Smishing

Application on Card Company Website

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund,' which provides 250,000 KRW per person to 88% of the population in the lower income bracket, will begin accepting applications from 9 a.m. on the 6th. During the first week, applications will be accepted based on a day-of-the-week system: on Monday, those whose resident registration birth year ends in 1 or 6 can apply. Following days are Tuesday (2,7), Wednesday (3,8), Thursday (4,9), and Friday (5,0). After the first week, applications and inquiries can be made regardless of the day-of-the-week system.

Eligibility for the National Support Fund can be checked on credit card company websites, apps, call centers, ARS, and the National Health Insurance Service website and app. Applicants can choose to receive and use the support fund via credit card or debit card charging, prepaid cards, or local gift certificates. If you want to charge a credit or debit card, you can apply online through the card company’s website or app, and from the 13th, offline applications can be made at banks linked to the card. The application deadline is October 29.

Card companies that support charging the National Support Fund include Lotte, BC, Samsung, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, Hyundai, KB Kookmin, and NH Nonghyup (excluding Citi). KakaoBank (debit card) and KakaoPay (PayMoney card) allow applications through their apps. Credit and debit cards are charged the day after the application. The charged support fund is distinguished from existing card points, and the amount used is automatically deducted from the card bill. Adults born before December 31, 2002, can apply and receive the support fund individually. Minors receive the support fund through the head of their household, who applies on their behalf.

The National Support Fund can be used at local gift certificate affiliated stores within the applicant’s address area. Residents with addresses in special or metropolitan cities can use the local gift certificate affiliated stores within those cities, while those with addresses in provinces can use affiliated stores within the corresponding city or county of their detailed address.

Residents of Seoul can use the fund in Seoul, and residents of Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, can use it in Seongnam-si. It can be used at traditional markets, neighborhood supermarkets, restaurants, hair salons, pharmacies, optical shops, clothing stores, academies, hospitals, and franchise affiliated stores (convenience stores, bakeries, cafes, chicken restaurants, etc.). It cannot be used at Starbucks. Additionally, the fund cannot be used at department stores, large shopping malls, large supermarkets, corporate supermarkets, duty-free shops, foreign-affiliated large company stores, large company electronics direct sales stores, large company franchise direct sales stores, large delivery apps, online malls, or home shopping. Although the fund cannot be used on delivery apps like Baedal Minjok or Yogiyo, it can be used if payment is made on-site through the restaurant’s own terminal. The National Support Fund can be used for about four months until December 31. Any unused balance by then will be reclaimed by the government and local authorities.

Due to high nationwide interest in the National Support Fund, caution is advised against scams such as smishing impersonating the government or card companies. To prevent smishing damage, actively use the National Secretary pre-notification service, and if you receive suspicious text messages from unknown sources or messages containing suspicious internet addresses impersonating the government or card companies, carefully verify them once more. If you receive suspected smishing messages or suspect malicious app infections, you can receive counseling at the 118 Counseling Center, which operates free of charge 24 hours a day.

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