Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Cash handout guide for foreign nationals: Your questions answered
People sign up for the cash handout at a welfare center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on July 21, the day applications opened. Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
Applications for the first round of government cash handouts began Monday, with applications for the second round set to open on Sept. 22. Below are some frequently asked questions about the cash handouts for foreign nationals.
Q. Who are the foreign nationals eligible to apply for the cash handout?
A. Those with F-5 permanent resident visas, F-6 marriage visas, refugees, and those included on household registers that include at least one Korean national while also being enrolled in Korea's national health insurance program.
Q. How can recipients apply for the cash handout?
A. Through credit and debit card websites, apps or call centers. Applicants can also visit bank branches affiliated with their credit card. For the paper form of the local gift certificates, also known as "love gift certificates," applicants should visit their local community center. Heads of household should apply on behalf of minors. The handouts will be issued the day after application.
Q. Until when can recipients apply for the cash handout?
A. Registration is open through Sept. 12. For the first week starting July 21, the government is operating a dispersal system for the applications. According to the last digit of the applicant's birth year, those ending with 3 or 8 can apply on Wednesday, those ending with 4 or 9 can apply on Thursday, and those ending with 5 or 0 can apply on Friday. (Birth years ending in 1, 2, 6 and 7 were serviced earlier in the week.) Starting this weekend, applications will open to all eligible recipients.
Q. How much are the cash handouts?
A. The minimum is 150,000 won, but depending on the applicant's economic status and region, some individuals may receive up to 450,000 won. Single-parent families and those whose recognized income is at or below 50 percent of the standard median income — placing them just above the recipients of basic livelihood support — will receive 300,000 won. Recipients of basic livelihood support will receive 400,000 won. Those living in areas excluding Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province will receive an additional 30,000 won, and those living in 84 regions designated as rural, where populations are declining, will receive an additional 50,000 won.
Q. How are the handouts distributed?
A. They are distributed via credit and debit cards, and local gift certificates can be used in mobile, plastic card or paper form.
Q. Until when can recipients use the cash handout?
A. The cash handouts should be used by Nov. 30. Unused amounts will expire automatically.
Q. Where can recipients use the cash handout?
A. Recipients are able to use the handout in the city or county of their official residence, and can be used only at stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. They can be used at traditional markets and mom-and-pop stores, including supermarkets, restaurants, clothing shops, beauty salons, eyewear stores, tutoring centers and academies, and pharmacies and clinics.
The handout cannot be used at conglomerate-owned retailers including hypermarts, supermarkets, department stores and duty-free stores. They also cannot be used at foreign retail outlets or online commerce platforms.
The local love gift certificates can only be used at member stores. Check to see if the store has a sticker outside, indicating they are a participating location.
Q. When can recipients apply for the second round?
A. Applications for the second round will start Sept. 22 and run through Oct. 31. An additional 100,000 won will be provided for those in the bottom 90 percent of household income, as determined by health insurance premiums. The second handout should also be used by Nov. 30.