Yongsan-gu Provides Prepaid Cards to 6,351 Low-Income Households

As part of COVID-19 measures... Rechargeable prepaid cards (consumption coupons) provided for 4 months from April to July to Basic Livelihood Security Recipients (5,701 households, 7,327 people) and Near-Poverty Class (650 households, 824 people)... Receive by visiting local community centers on designated dates

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjanghyun) is conducting a 'Temporary Living Support' project targeting 6,351 low-income households and 8,151 individuals in the area.

This is one of the COVID-19 countermeasures.

The project period is four months from April to July, and the support targets are basic livelihood security recipients in the area (5,701 households, 7,327 individuals) and near-poverty class (650 households, 824 individuals).

The support amounts are ▲ 520,000 KRW (single-person household) to 1,920,000 KRW (six-person household) for livelihood and medical benefit recipients ▲ 400,000 KRW (single-person household) to 1,480,000 KRW (six-person household) for housing and education benefit recipients and near-poverty class ▲ 520,000 KRW for facility recipients.

The district will provide them with 'rechargeable prepaid cards (consumption coupons)' through the local community service centers. Similar to the public mask purchase system (5-day rotation), cards will be distributed on the day corresponding to the last digit of the applicant's birth year. However, distribution methods may vary depending on the conditions of each community center.

A district official said, "It is a principle that the prepaid card must be received directly by the beneficiary," and added, "To maintain social distancing, please wear a mask and visit the designated community service center on the assigned date."

For facility recipients, the district delivers the cards to the facility managers, who then hand them over to the recipients. For residents with mobility difficulties, welfare planners (community social workers) and welfare account holders will exceptionally conduct home visits for distribution.

The issued cards can be used at all affiliated stores within Seoul. However, they cannot be used at large supermarkets, entertainment establishments, etc.

The project budget is 3.6 billion KRW (fully funded by the national government).

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "We provide rechargeable prepaid cards to stabilize the lives of low-income residents," and added, "We hope the balance will be fully used by July to also help small business owners and self-employed individuals."

In addition to the temporary living support project for low-income groups, the district plans to lead economic recovery through various measures such as ▲ Seoul-type disaster emergency living expenses support ▲ temporary child-rearing support ▲ advance payment of senior job activity fees ▲ issuance of Yongsan Love gift certificates ▲ employment retention support for unpaid leave workers of small businesses ▲ support for businesses visited by COVID-19 confirmed cases.