Gwangju City Completes 92% Distribution of National Support Fund

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] On the 23rd, the 17th day since Gwangju Metropolitan City began accepting applications for the COVID-19 coexistence national support fund, a total of 290.8 billion KRW was paid to approximately 1,163,000 people.

This accounts for about 92.8% of the total eligible recipients, approximately 1,254,000 people.

Currently, the national support fund’s day-based system has been completely lifted, allowing anyone to apply regardless of the last digit of their birth year, and the application deadline is until the 29th of next month.

The funds must be used by December 31, and any unused or unclaimed national support funds within the period will be reclaimed by the government and local governments.

If there are any objections regarding eligibility selection or health insurance premium adjustment reasons, appeals can be filed through the National Petition System or the local administrative welfare center by November 12.

The city actively operates a ‘visiting application’ service to ensure that elderly or disabled persons with mobility difficulties do not miss receiving the support funds for prompt disbursement.

The ‘visiting application’ service operates by having the responsible staff visit the household directly to confirm eligibility and issue the Gwangju Coexistence Card when the eligible applicant requests it at the local administrative welfare center.

First, the city checks social welfare facilities such as nursing homes and facilities for the disabled within the jurisdiction to identify if there are eligible recipients who need the ‘visiting application’ service and provides support accordingly.

Additionally, to increase the payment rate, the city plans to proactively visit and assist those with mobility difficulties such as the disabled, elderly, and patients with severe illnesses, even if they have not requested help in advance.

Currently, the ‘visiting application’ service is provided only when the applicant requests assistance at the local administrative welfare center, but for previously identified solitary elderly and disabled persons, the city plans to actively guide them on how to apply through prior notifications via text messages, mail, and home visits.

Since the national support fund has limited application and usage periods, Gwangju City intends to actively support prompt payment to those who have not yet received it.

Ryu Misu, Director of the Social Welfare Division, said, “The socially vulnerable such as the elderly and disabled are in urgent need of the national support fund more than anyone else,” and added, “We will actively promote the ‘visiting application’ service to ensure that all eligible recipients receive the support without omission.”

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