"Can't Use It Outside Your Registered Address?"... Many Restrictions on National Support Funds, Difficult to Use Even If Received

5th Disaster Relief Fund of 250,000 KRW per Person
Only Usable Within 'Resident Registration Address', Causing 'Inconvenience'
Experts Say "Excessive Restrictions Contradict the Purpose of the Support Fund"

On the 6th, when the payment procedure for the COVID-19 Mutual Aid National Support Fund (Disaster Relief Fund) began, a notice indicating the availability of the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund was posted at a store in a traditional market in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "It's ambiguous that it can only be used in the place of residence..."

As the application and payment of the 5th round of COVID-19 disaster relief funds of 250,000 KRW per person are underway, some citizens are voicing discomfort about the use of the relief funds. The disaster relief funds are restricted to be used only within the area of residence registered on the resident registration, making it difficult to use the funds if the actual place of residence differs from the registered address.

Kim (34), who has a residence in Cheongju, Chungbuk but works in Seoul, said, "I only occasionally go to my Cheongju home during holidays or weekends, and mostly conduct economic activities in Seoul, so I am confused that the relief funds can only be used at the registered address." He added, "I was excited thinking I could use the funds, but to use them, I have to deliberately go down to Cheongju, which is a two-hour distance."

He said, "I plan to use the relief funds when I go down for Chuseok, but even if I receive the funds, it feels like I am forced to spend the money rather than using it usefully to buy what I need."

Park, a 20-something university student living alone in Cheonan, is in a similar situation. His registered address is his parents' home in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, so he cannot use the disaster relief funds in Cheonan, where he mainly stays.

Park said, "Even if I want to use the relief funds, there are many restrictions and complications, making it very difficult to use." He added, "There must be many people staying in places other than their registered addresses due to circumstances, so it is frustrating that such situations are not considered."

An information notice regarding the use of the 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund' is posted at the Emart24 convenience store in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, where the application process began on the 6th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

This disaster relief fund payment applies the household members registered on the resident registration as of June 30 this year. Accordingly, citizens with registered addresses in special or metropolitan cities can use the disaster relief funds at local love gift certificate affiliated stores located in those cities, and citizens with addresses in provinces can use them at affiliated stores within the corresponding city or county of their detailed address. The usage period is until December 31 this year. However, even after June 30, if a move-in report has been completed, it is possible to change the usage area to the current living area through the card company.

Regarding the restriction on the usage area of the disaster relief funds, an official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on the 9th, "Because the purpose is to revitalize the local economy, the resident registration address was used as the standard." He added, "Those who have completed the move-in report after June 30 can apply for a change of usage area, but for others, we ask that they visit and use the funds in their registered address area as much as possible."

As a result, citizens point out that the convenience of using the disaster relief funds is significantly reduced. Recently, when searching for keywords related to the disaster relief funds on social networking services (SNS) and online communities, many posts express discomfort due to differences between actual residence and registered address or difficulties in using the funds at desired locations.

Netizens responded with comments such as "Even if I have the relief funds, I can't use them," and "They can only be used in the neighborhood, not when going out." Some criticize that the excessive restrictions on usage areas and locations fail to fulfill the purpose of the disaster relief funds, which is to support damage relief and economic revitalization.

Experts suggest that since the disaster relief funds aim to stimulate consumption and support affected groups due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, convenience should be taken into account.

Professor Kim Taegi of Dankook University's Department of Economics said, "The disaster relief funds were implemented to help citizens who have suffered damage. Imposing too many restrictions on how to use them contradicts the purpose. It may not matter for those whose registered address and place of living are the same, but nowadays, many people are not in that situation. If citizens experience inconvenience and many restrictions in using the funds, it may be difficult to achieve the expected economic effects."