Applications for the COVID-19 national relief funding are being accepted.
Todd Thacker will give us information on how to apply and how to receive the money.

From May 11th, applications for payments from the national disaster relief fund have begun being accepted.
Beneficiaries can choose from two types of payment.

The nationwide payments will be given out in the form of credit or debit card points or locally issued vouchers or prepaid cards.


Applications can now be submitted on the websites of credit and debit card companies.
Offline applications begin at community centers or banks from next Monday, May 18th.


A window will pop up on the website of card companies with instructions for the funding application.


A head of household can apply for the funds after logging into the website with his or her official online ID certificate.

Two or three days after they apply, an individual message will be sent to an applicant from a card company regarding the amount and date the funds will be issued.


For offline applications made at a bank, an ID card is required and the head of the household must appear in person.


In the case of Jeju province, which does not have a locally issued voucher, residents must select prepaid cards if credit or debit card points are not preferred.

Prepaid cards will be issued at community centers from next Monday, May 18th.


Unlike the option of credit or debit card points, prepaid cards can be issued to a member of the household if that individual presents the ID of the head of the household and a letter allocating power of attorney.
To prevent a rush of applications overloading the system, authorities are using a 5-day rotation system based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year.

The relief funds can be used in the same way as the Child Care Coupons. These are temporarily issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to help decrease the burden of child care costs and to boost the local economy badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds cannot be used to pay one's taxes, transportation or communication expenses.

Restrictions also apply at certain businesses including large retailers like Lotte Mart, E-Mart, stores specializing in home appliances, and online shopping malls and entertainment venues like bars and clubs.
But the funds can be spent at local supermarkets including (하나로) Hanaro Mart and local restaurants.

For more information, please refer to the Disaster Relief Fund website.

Todd Thacker, KCTV