Guro-gu Expands Support for Unemployed Youth and Small Business Owners

Unemployed Youth 'Employment Incentive' 2nd Recruitment Until October 29... Participation Conditions Also Relaxed... 'Seoul Economy Vitality Fund' Application Until October 29, 'Closed Small Business Support' Extended Until December 10

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) is strengthening support for unemployed youth and small business owners who are struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

First, the second recruitment for the Unemployed Youth Employment Incentive will be held until October 29.

The support targets unemployed youth aged 19 to 34 (born between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 2002) who are registered residents of Guro-gu, have graduated within two years (excluding military service period), and are not enrolled in employment insurance.

Applications are accepted up to graduates of this fall semester. Those who lived in Seoul before the announcement date but moved to Guro-gu after the announcement date can apply even if they are enrolled in employment insurance, provided they work less than 26 hours per week or have short-term employment of less than three months. However, university (graduate) students currently enrolled or on leave, recipients of unemployment benefits, participants in the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s ‘2020 Youth Job-Seeking Activity Support Fund’ and ‘2021 National Employment Support System (Type 1)’, and those who have already received the Unemployed Youth Employment Incentive (including those selected by other districts) are excluded.

Applicants must submit documents such as a resident registration certificate or abstract, employment insurance qualification history, and final academic graduation certificate through the Seoul Youth Portal website.

Application results can be checked on the Seoul Youth Portal website in November, and selected applicants will be sequentially awarded 500,000 KRW worth of Guro Love Gift Certificates per person.

Support for small business owners through the ‘Seoul Economic Vitality Fund’ and ‘Closed Small Business Owners’ assistance will also be strengthened.

The application period for the ‘Seoul Economic Vitality Fund’ has been extended until October 29.

Eligible recipients are businesses that received the Buttress Fund Plus and were subject to business restrictions or gathering bans. Businesses under restrictions will receive 600,000 KRW, and those under gathering bans will receive between 1,200,000 and 1,500,000 KRW.

Applicants can apply through the Seoul Economic Vitality Fund website. Applications can also be submitted by visiting the district office reception desk.

The deadline for the ‘Closed Small Business Owners Support’ eligibility and application period has been extended until December 10 this year. Eligible applicants are small business owners in restricted or gathering-ban industries within the district who closed their businesses after March 22, when social distancing measures were strengthened last year, and who operated for at least 90 days before closure.

Applicants must prepare documents such as a business closure certificate, confirmation of receipt of the re-challenge encouragement fund, and application form, and submit them by visiting the relevant department at the district office or by registered mail. The program may close early if the budget is exhausted. Results will be individually notified within seven days after application, and eligible recipients will receive 500,000 KRW per person.

For detailed information on eligibility and application methods, please refer to the news section on the district office website.

A Guro-gu official stated, “We will do our best to promote and guide so that there are no blind spots in support for youth and small business owners through this strengthened support project.”