Seo-gu, Gwangju Launches Second Phase of High Oil Price Support Payment System

Strengthening On-Site Response with Hub Neighborhoods
Dedicated Call Center to Be Operated

Seo-gu District of Gwangju Metropolitan City has completed the first phase of high oil price damage support payments and is now focusing its administrative capacity on preparing for the second phase, which will begin on May 18.

Seo-gu is reorganizing the operating system for application counters at 18 administrative welfare centers in each neighborhood. The district is also securing payment methods, assigning additional personnel, and inspecting on-site equipment. During the peak application period, a dedicated call center will be operated to enhance the response speed to residents' inquiries and civil complaints.

In particular, Seo-gu will actively utilize the hub-neighborhood collaboration system, which is a core administrative framework of the 8th popularly elected government. In each of the four designated regions, the head of the hub neighborhood will serve as the head of on-site support, comprehensively managing field complaints and payment status to minimize any confusion during the payment process.

Seo-gu will also continue to operate the "Visiting Kind Application" service for vulnerable residents who have difficulty applying. This service is an on-site support system designed to prevent application omissions among elderly people with mobility difficulties, people with disabilities, and other socially vulnerable groups who have limited access to information.

Led by the Care Support Division, the service is operated in cooperation with the administrative welfare centers in each neighborhood. When residents request assistance via the dedicated call center or a local administrative welfare center, public officials will visit in person to support the application and payment procedures.

Previously, during the first phase, Seo-gu provided support payments to a total of 1,101 people through the "Visiting Kind Application" service. In addition, the district is proactively identifying eligible but unregistered recipients and strengthening application guidance by cooperating with the local care network, which includes the Neighbor Care Group and senior customized care service providers.

Lee Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, stated, "As residents' economic burden has increased due to the prolonged period of high oil prices, we are concentrating our administrative capacity to ensure that the support payments are provided quickly and accurately."

Meanwhile, the second phase of payments, starting from May 18, will target residents in the bottom 70% income bracket. The support payment amounts are 150,000 won for general recipients, 500,000 won for near-poor households and single-parent families, and 600,000 won for basic livelihood security recipients.

Eligibility will be notified through the National Secretary Notification Service starting May 16, and from May 18, residents can check their eligibility directly through card company websites, apps, branches, or at their local administrative welfare center.