Damyang-gun Warns of Staffing and Budget Issues for 'Living Support Fund' Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Budget Already Depleted and Applications Piling Up Due to Omicron Variant Virus Spread

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Due to the surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the number of confirmed cases nationwide is approaching 400,000 daily, and the number of applicants for COVID-19 living support funds has also significantly increased.

However, on the ground, despite continuing night and weekend shifts, there are growing voices calling for additional measures as personnel and financial difficulties persist due to budget and manpower shortages.

According to the county on the 18th, last year, a total of 2,271 people from 853 households received COVID-19 living support funds, and in just January and February of this year, applicants have already reached 1,298 people from 553 households.

The living support fund is a program that provides partial living expenses when individuals cannot engage in their livelihood due to hospitalization or self-quarantine following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Following recent changes in government support criteria, a fixed amount of 100,000 KRW is paid to single-person households, and 150,000 KRW to households of two or more people, based on the number of isolated individuals who have received hospitalization or quarantine notices among household members registered under the same resident registration.

The county had prepared a main budget totaling 134 million KRW, including national funds, but the rapid increase in confirmed cases exceeded the budget within two months. This means that in just two months, the support amount has already surpassed half of last year’s total support target.

Accordingly, through the first supplementary budget in March, the total amount including national funds will be increased to 965 million KRW for disbursement, but given the current upward trend in confirmed cases, this is also expected to be depleted quickly.

A county official stated, “We are verifying the eligibility of applicants based on health insurance workplace enrollment status due to the prohibition of duplicate payment of paid sick leave, and the application of changes in government guidelines. Once an application for living support funds is made, payment is made within a month after review, but due to the recent surge in confirmed cases, increased workload, and budget shortages, payment dates are being delayed.”

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