"Up to 600,000 Won Per Person" Applications for Government’s High Oil Price Relief Payment Begin on the 27th

Applications for the high oil price relief fund, which provides up to 600,000 won per person, will open on April 27, 2026.

Yonhap News

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According to the government's plan for distributing the high oil price relief fund, 70% of the population will receive differentiated support by income group and region, ranging from 100,000 won to a maximum of 600,000 won per person. The required budget is approximately 6.1 trillion won, with 4.8 trillion won coming from the central government and 1.3 trillion won from local governments.

The application and distribution of the high oil price relief fund will be conducted in two phases. The first phase runs from April 27 to May 8, and the second phase will be held from May 18 to July 3, 2026.

Recipients of basic livelihood benefits, near-poverty households, and single-parent families can apply first, either online or offline, during the first phase. Starting May 18, the remaining 70% of the population will be eligible to apply.

Recipients of basic livelihood benefits will receive 550,000 won, while near-poverty households and single-parent families will receive 450,000 won. Residents in non-metropolitan and depopulation areas will receive an additional 50,000 won per person.

For the remaining 70% of the population, beneficiaries will be selected through an income screening process utilizing health insurance premium data. The government will announce additional eligibility criteria, such as the exclusion of high-asset holders beyond health insurance premiums, before the second phase of payments.

Residents in the metropolitan area will receive 100,000 won, those in non-metropolitan areas 150,000 won, residents in priority support depopulation areas 200,000 won, and those in special support depopulation areas 250,000 won.

Online applications are available 24 hours a day, except for the final application day, when submissions will be accepted until 6 p.m. Offline applications are accepted on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 4 p.m. at bank branches).

During the first week of applications, a day-of-the-week system will be implemented based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year. The relief funds distributed during both the first and second phases must be used by August 31, 2026. Any remaining balance after this period will expire.

Those who wish to receive the relief fund as a credit or debit card payment can apply online through the website, mobile application, call center, or automated response system (ARS) of their card issuer, or they can visit a bank associated with their card.

Applications can be submitted via the mobile apps of all nine card issuers, as well as through KakaoBank, Toss, K Bank, Kakao Pay, and Naver Pay apps.

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The relief fund applied for by credit or debit card will be credited the day after the application, and applicants will be notified by text message once the funds are loaded. When making payments at eligible locations with the relevant card, the relief fund will be used first, and remaining balances will be updated via app notifications.

Those wishing to receive the fund as a mobile or card-type local government gift certificate can apply online through the local government's gift certificate app or website for their registered address. For paper gift certificates or prepaid cards, applicants can visit their local community service center or township office to apply and receive the funds in person.

The relief fund may only be used within the local government jurisdiction of the applicant's registered address. For example, those with an address in Jung-gu, Seoul, may use the funds anywhere in Seoul, while those in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, may use them only within Cheongju.

The funds can be freely used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, but usage is restricted for online shopping malls, delivery apps, entertainment and gambling businesses, and cash-equivalent businesses.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Hojoong Yoon stated, "The government will serve as a strong support for protecting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens from the massive economic shock brought on by the Middle East conflict through the high oil price relief fund."

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