The first checkpoint is to confirm whether you are eligible for the subsidy.
The second round of livelihood recovery relief funds won't be distributed to everyone, but will be distributed only to the remaining 90% of the population, excluding the top 10%. So, I had to first check if I was eligible. The criteria are determined by your health insurance premium payments. For employees, if your monthly income exceeds 270,000 won, you're likely to be classified as part of the top 10%.
They don't just consider income; they also consider the combined income of all family members. This means that even if you alone have a low income, if someone in your family has a high income, you could be excluded from the program. The government plans to finalize and announce these criteria in September, so for now, it's best to just check the general health insurance premiums.
Applications will be open from September 22nd to October 31st. Keep in mind that, unlike the first round, not everyone will be eligible. If you're unsure if you're eligible, you can get information through the National Secretary notification service, so it's a good idea to register in advance.
There are various application methods, both online and offline.
You can apply online again this time, or you can apply offline at a community center or affiliated bank. For busy people like me, online application is probably more convenient. However, the day of the week is determined by the last digit of your birth year, so be sure to check the day of the week for the first week.
And there are required documents. You'll need your own credit card information, and if you're applying on behalf of a minor or a family member, you'll also need documents like a power of attorney or family relationship certificate. If you don't have these, your application could be rejected, so be sure to check them thoroughly.
They also plan to offer a home visit service. They'll be visiting residents in person for those with mobility issues or those who have difficulty applying. It seems like a really good policy. If anyone in your family qualifies, consider this service.
It's also important to know where and how you can use the subsidy.
You can top up the subsidy with card points, receive a local gift certificate, or receive a prepaid card. I found card points to be the easiest. If you apply online, the funds are either recharged the next day or you receive a text message. On the other hand, the advantage of applying offline is that you can receive the subsidy the same day.
However, you can't use it just anywhere. It's only available at small businesses with annual sales of less than 3 billion won, such as traditional markets, neighborhood supermarkets, restaurants, and pharmacies. Since it's not available at large supermarkets or online shopping malls, I checked in advance to see if the stores I frequent were eligible.
The subsidy expires on November 30th, so if you forget to use it, you could lose it. I write it down in my mobile notepad and keep track of how much I spent each month on each day. It's a shame to miss out.
Check out the essential appeal procedures and precautions you need to know.
Even if you're classified as being in the top 10% of income earners and are therefore excluded, don't give up right away. You can still file an appeal. This is only available during the application period, so if you feel unfairly treated or believe the criteria have been applied incorrectly, you can file a formal appeal through the National E-Munmun (Korean Citizens' Online Application) or offline within that period.
Another important thing to remember is to be wary of phishing texts and fake websites. The government and credit card companies never send texts with links, so if you receive one, delete it immediately and don't click on it. Some people have actually been affected, so be very careful.
If you want to change something after submitting your application, you must cancel the original application and resubmit. Remember, changes aren't separate. Checking for a confirmation text after submitting your application will help prevent you from missing out.
Summary
The second round of livelihood support funds will be distributed to everyone except the top 10%, with 100,000 won per person. Applications begin September 22nd, and you can receive your benefits in the form of card points or local gift certificates. Before applying, check your income requirements and eligibility, and prepare the application process and required documents in advance. Be sure to use your benefits within the deadline, and remember that even if you're excluded, you can still file an appeal.