On the 4th, when the government began distributing emergency disaster relief funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a citizen visiting a community center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, received information about the emergency disaster relief funds. Priority recipients are 2.8 million households deemed in urgent need of support, such as those receiving livelihood benefits, basic pensions, or disability pensions, and the funds are provided in cash. Citizens not eligible for cash payments can choose to receive the support funds via credit/debit cards, paper/mobile/card regional gift certificates, or prepaid cards. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The government's emergency disaster relief fund, which provides up to 1 million won per household, will begin accepting applications from the 11th. The emergency disaster relief fund is highly useful, and for households that operate vehicles, it is expected to be a significant help with maintenance costs. However, since the usage locations vary depending on the payment method, careful prior verification is essential.
There are two main ways to receive the emergency disaster relief fund: via credit/debit cards or through gift certificates/prepaid cards.
First, for credit/debit cards, the usage locations are the same as those for the Childcare Coupon. Vehicle-related services available through this include gas stations, car centers, vehicle interior services, car washes, and parking lots within the metropolitan municipality where the recipient resides.
Vehicle accessories and car seats can also be purchased, but purchases at large supermarkets and department stores are not allowed. Additionally, if the car center or car wash located inside a large supermarket is operated by a different business entity, the emergency disaster relief fund credit/debit card can be used there. Moreover, since various individual stores inside large supermarkets accept the card, it is advantageous to bring the related payment card even when shopping at large supermarkets.
When receiving the emergency disaster relief fund via prepaid cards or local love gift certificates, the range of usage locations expands. Currently, in Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, through various methods such as converting to local love gift certificates or Zero Pay, it is possible to use large corporate vehicle service centers like Blue Hands and Auto Q.
Also, although it varies by region, usage is possible for rental cars, two-wheeled vehicles, used car dealerships, and express bus fares. For credit/debit cards, bus and express bus usage is not allowed, but usage on taxis is permitted.
However, local love gift certificates can only be used within the issuing basic municipality. For example, if a citizen of Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do receives the emergency disaster relief fund via credit/debit card or prepaid card, they can use it throughout Gyeonggi-do, but if they receive local love gift certificates, they can only use them in Gimpo City.
Since usage locations vary by municipality, it is more reliable to check each municipality’s website or make an inquiry call before use.
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