Government Grants 3-Month Payment Deferral for Urban Gas Bills from April to June for Small Businesses and Vulnerable Groups

Applications Open from the 16th... Installment Payments Available Until Year-End

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government has decided to defer the payment of city gas bills for small business owners and vulnerable groups for the April to June period for three months.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 9th that it will implement this measure with the cooperation of Korea Gas Corporation and others to support overcoming the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This measure targets small business owners nationwide who use city gas and households eligible for residential rate reductions. Eligible households for residential rate reductions include ▲basic livelihood security recipients (living, medical, housing, education benefits) ▲persons with severe disabilities ▲independence activists and war veterans ▲near-poor class ▲multi-child families ▲and those issued with near-poor verification certificates.

The application period for payment deferral is from the 16th of this month to the 15th of next month. Applications can be made through the call centers and websites of the respective city gas companies. For those eligible, the payment deadline for three months’ worth of city gas bills starting from the April billing will be extended by three months each. If the April bill has already been paid, the payment deadlines for May to July bills can be extended. No late fees will be charged during the extension period.

Additionally, for bills with extended payment deadlines, equal installment payments will be allowed until the end of the year to prevent the burden of payment from accumulating all at once. Those wishing to pay in installments should apply to the call center of the respective city gas company before the payment deadline.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "With this measure, city gas bills can be deferred for three months without late fees (2%) and paid in installments until the end of the year. It is expected to help alleviate the burden of city gas bills for small business owners and vulnerable households struggling due to COVID-19."