Starting Tomorrow, 36 Million to Receive "High Oil Price Relief Payments" Targeting Bottom 70% Income Bracket
Weekday Application System Based on Birth Year
Eligibility: Single-Person Households with Health Insurance Premiums of 130,000 Won or Less
The government's second round of "High Oil Price Damage Relief Payments" will begin distribution on May 18, 2026. Of the supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly last month, 6.1 trillion won will be allocated for this program, targeting approximately 36 million people in the bottom 70% income bracket.
The eligibility criteria are based on national health insurance premiums. For single-income households with employee insurance, the threshold is 130,000 won or less for a single-person household and 140,000 won or less for a two-person household. For local subscribers, the thresholds are 80,000 won or less for a single-person household and 120,000 won or less for a two-person household. Dual-income and households with multiple sources of income are subject to a more relaxed standard, with one additional household member counted for fairness. However, individuals are excluded if the combined standard assessed value for property tax exceeds 1.2 billion won or if their financial income exceeds 20 million won.
The payment amount varies by region. In the Seoul metropolitan area, recipients will receive 100,000 won; in non-metropolitan areas, 150,000 won. In population-declining areas, the preferential regions will receive 200,000 won, and special regions will receive up to 250,000 won. The application period runs until July 3, and approximately 280,000 vulnerable individuals who missed the first round will also be able to apply during this period.
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Applications can be submitted through the official websites or apps of credit and debit card companies, as well as via call centers. During the first week, both online and offline applications will follow a weekday system based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year. The relief payment must be used by August 31, 2026, at small businesses within the recipient's local government district that have annual sales of 3 billion won or less. Any remaining balance not used within the deadline will expire. However, in consideration of the policy's intent, gas stations will accept payments nationwide regardless of their sales volume.
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