Apply for the "High Oil Price Damage Support Fund" Starting on the 27th... "Check the Last Digit of Your Birth Year"

First Round of Applications for Basic Livelihood Beneficiaries and the Near-Poverty Group
Choice of Credit/Debit Card, Prepaid Card, and More
Beware of "Smishing" Scams Related to the High Oil Price Damage Support Fund

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will begin accepting applications next week for the "High Oil Price Damage Support Fund," which can be used at small businesses in Seoul. The support fund provides 550,000 won per person for recipients of basic livelihood benefits, and 450,000 won per person for those in the near-poverty group and single-parent families.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 23, the first round of applications for the High Oil Price Damage Support Fund will begin on April 27 for recipients of basic livelihood benefits, those in the near-poverty group, and single-parent families. The second round of applications will start on May 18, targeting 70% of the population selected based on income criteria and other factors.

Applicants must apply directly, and for minors, the head of household at the same address can apply. In principle, foreigners are not eligible, but permanent residents and marriage immigrants are recognized in a limited scope. Applicants can choose from credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or regional gift certificates as their preferred method. For credit/debit cards, applications can be submitted online through the card company's website or app, via call centers and ARS, or by visiting bank branches affiliated with the card.

Prepaid cards can be applied for by visiting the local community service center for one's address, while Seoul Sarang gift certificates can be applied for using the Seoul Pay Plus app. Please note that on the final day of application, both online and offline applications close at 6 PM. However, during the first week, to prevent congestion and system overload, both online and offline applications will be managed according to a "day-of-the-week system" based on the last digit of the applicant's year of birth.

The support fund can only be used until August of this year at small businesses in Seoul with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. Usage is restricted at large supermarkets, department stores, and entertainment venues. The city plans to distribute "High Oil Price Damage Support Fund Accepted" stickers to stores so that consumers can use the support fund conveniently.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will also operate a "visiting application service" for elderly people with limited mobility and single-person households with disabilities. If you call the local community service center to request assistance, staff will visit your household to help with the application. However, if there are other household members in the same household, the service is not available. The visiting application service is operated flexibly depending on the circumstances of each district and community service center, so advance inquiry is required if you wish to use the service.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that selling or purchasing prepaid cards or Seoul Sarang gift certificates received as part of the High Oil Price Damage Support Fund is illegal. Even advertising or soliciting such transactions will result in subsidy recovery or the imposition of penalty surcharges of up to five times the amount, in accordance with the "Act on the Management of Subsidies" and other related laws.

Gwak Jongbin, Director of Administration at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "During the first week, there may be a high volume of applications and inquiries at community service centers, so applying online will be faster and more convenient. We will do our best to provide prompt support to households in need due to high oil and consumer prices, in close cooperation with district offices and related organizations."

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