2 Trillion Won in Coupons to Be Given to COVID-19 Vulnerable Groups: Low-Income, Children, and Elderly

Government Announces 'Supplementary Budget for Overcoming COVID-19'

Entrance of a daycare center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, currently closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has decided to provide coupons worth approximately 2 trillion won to 5.2 million vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19, including low-income families, children, and the elderly.

On the 4th, the government approved the "Supplementary Budget for Minimizing the Impact of COVID-19 and Early Recovery" at a temporary Cabinet meeting.

According to the plan, the government will invest 850.6 billion won to provide local love gift certificates worth 170,000 to 220,000 won per month (based on a two-person household) for four months to 1.89 million low-income individuals (1.377 million households) receiving livelihood, medical, housing, and education benefits. These can be substituted with Onnuri gift certificates.

For child allowance recipients, special care coupons worth 100,000 won per month per child will be provided for four months. This targets 2.63 million children under the age of seven, totaling 1.0539 trillion won. This is separate from the monthly 100,000 won child allowance that all children receive.

Additionally, the budget for home care allowances will be increased by 27.1 billion won in preparation for children who switch from daycare or kindergarten to home care. As a result, the number of home care allowance recipients will increase by 129,000.

Elderly participants in job programs will also receive additional coupons equivalent to 20% of their total wages for four months. A total of 540,000 people will be supported with 128.1 billion won. However, participants must agree to receive 30% of their total wages in Onnuri or local love gift certificates.