The Ministry of Interior and Safety will begin accepting applications for the first round of Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupons simultaneously online and offline starting July 21. These consumer coupons are being distributed to all citizens with the aim of revitalizing the stagnant domestic economy and increasing sales for small business owners. The distribution policy will be differentiated based on income levels and regional characteristics.
Application Period and Method
Applications for the Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupons will be open for approximately 8 weeks, from 9 AM on July 21 to 6 PM on September 12. Applicants can choose their preferred method: credit/debit card, pre-paid card, or local love gift certificate. Online applications are available 24 hours a day, while offline applications will be processed from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays (bank branches until 4 PM).
During the first week of applications (July 21-25), a five-day rotation system based on the last digit of the birth year will be implemented to prevent system overload and congestion at community centers. Monday is for digits 1 and 6, Tuesday for 2 and 7, Wednesday for 3 and 8, Thursday for 4 and 9, and Friday for 5 and 0.
If selecting a credit/debit card, applications can be made through the respective card company's website, app, call center, ARS, or affiliated bank branches. For mobile or card-type local love gift certificates, online applications are available through the app or website of the local government responsible for your address. The consumer coupons will be issued and ready for use the day after application.
Amount and Eligibility
The basic payment for the first round of consumer coupons is 150,000 KRW per person. However, to strengthen support for vulnerable groups, individuals in the quasi-base income bracket and single-parent families will receive 300,000 KRW per person, and basic livelihood security recipients will receive 400,000 KRW per person.
Furthermore, for balanced regional development, residents of non-metropolitan areas (excluding Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi) will receive an additional 30,000 KRW per person, and residents of rural and fishing villages in depopulated areas (84 cities/counties) will receive an additional 50,000 KRW per person, allowing them to receive up to a maximum of 550,000 KRW. The second round of payments will take place from September 22 to October 31, with an additional 100,000 KRW per person to be paid to 90% of the population, excluding the top 10% income earners.
Usage Locations and Expiration
The received consumer coupons must be used by November 30. Any remaining balance not used by the deadline will be automatically forfeited. Usage is restricted to the area of the registered residential address. Residents of special or metropolitan cities can only use them within their respective special or metropolitan city, while residents of provincial areas can only use them within their registered city or county.
Primary usage locations include small business sectors with annual sales of 3 billion KRW or less, such as traditional markets, neighborhood marts, restaurants, beauty salons, academies, pharmacies, and franchised stores (excluding directly managed stores). Conversely, usage is restricted at large marts, department stores, corporate-run supermarkets (SSM), duty-free shops, large electronics retailers, online e-commerce (including delivery apps, with exceptions for in-person payments), entertainment and speculative businesses, and cash-exchange businesses. Military personnel on active duty can also use them at military PXs nationwide if they receive the payment via their Nara Sarang Card.
Appeals and Government Commitment
Citizens who have objections regarding the payment amount or other issues can file an appeal through the National Sinmungo website (www.epeople.go.kr) or at their local Eup/Myeon/Dong Administrative Welfare Center. Vice Minister Kim Min-jae of the Ministry of Interior and Safety stated, "Consumer coupons are the capillaries of our economy for its swift recovery," adding, "We will work closely with local governments to ensure that every single citizen receives them without fail." This consumer coupon issuance is expected to contribute to local economic revitalization and stabilize livelihoods.
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