Hadong County to Accept Applications for High Oil Price Relief Fund Starting April 27

Hadong County announced that it will begin accepting the first round of applications for the "High Oil Price Relief Fund" starting on April 27.

This relief fund is a measure to stabilize livelihoods, aiming to ease the financial burden on county residents caused by high oil prices, high exchange rates, and high inflation resulting from the situation in the Middle East, and to protect vulnerable groups.

The relief fund will be provided in two phases. The first phase targets recipients of basic livelihood benefits, the near-poor, and single-parent families. Basic livelihood benefit recipients will receive KRW 600,000, while the near-poor and single-parent families will receive KRW 500,000. These amounts include an additional KRW 50,000 for those residing outside the metropolitan area and in population-declining regions.

[Photo provided by Hadong County] Exterior view of Hadong County Office

원본보기 아이콘

The second round of relief will be open for applications from May 18 to July 3. It will provide KRW 250,000 per person to those who did not apply in the first round and to citizens in the bottom 70% income bracket. An additional KRW 150,000 will be provided to those eligible for special support in population-declining areas.

Applications can be submitted both online and offline from April 27. Applicants may choose to receive the funds via credit or debit card, prepaid card, or Hadong Love Gift Certificates (mobile or paper). Online applications can be made through card company websites or apps, and in-person applications can be made at bank branches.

Mobile gift certificates can be applied for through a dedicated app, and residents who have difficulty using cards may apply in person at township offices. The county also plans to provide paper gift certificates for the convenience of the elderly.

During the first week of applications, from April 27 to April 30, a weekday-based system will be implemented according to the last digit of the applicant's birth year: ▲1, 6 on Monday ▲2, 7 on Tuesday ▲3, 8 on Wednesday ▲4, 9, 5, 0 on Thursday.

The relief fund can be used at merchants affiliated with the local gift certificate program and at small businesses with annual sales of KRW 3 billion or less. The usage deadline is August 31. The funds cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, online malls, or entertainment establishments, and any unused balance after the deadline will be automatically forfeited.

The county also urged residents to be cautious against voice phishing and smishing scams that may occur during the application process.

A county official stated, "The government, local governments, card companies, and banks do not send text messages containing application URLs," emphasizing that residents should exercise particular caution if they receive similar messages.

The official added, "We will ensure that the relief funds are distributed quickly to help stabilize residents' livelihoods and revitalize the local economy."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.