[Q&A] "Can Soldiers Use Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons at PX?"

Kiosks and Table Ordering May Be Unavailable for Use
PX Added as Eligible Usage Only for Soldiers
Newborns After the Reference Date Can Receive Coupons Through Objection Application

The government has begun the issuance process for the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons, including the early allocation of 8.1 trillion won in national funds to local governments. Starting from July 21, every citizen will receive a basic amount of 150,000 won. Members of the second-lowest income group and single-parent families will receive 300,000 won per person, and Basic Livelihood Security recipients will receive 400,000 won per person. Here is a summary of frequently asked questions from the public regarding the issuance and use of the consumption coupons.

Yonhap News Agency

Are newborns who will be born soon also eligible for the consumption coupons?

Newborns born after the reference date of June 18 this year can also become eligible for the coupons if they complete birth registration and file an objection application. The objection period is from July 21 to September 12, and only those who have completed birth registration and submitted an objection within this period can be included in the first round of payments.

What if someone has died after the reference date?

In principle, those who died after June 18 are excluded from eligibility. Even if the consumption coupons have already been issued, the remaining balance is to be reclaimed. However, if the head of household has died, the remaining balance of the consumption coupons received on a credit or debit card by the deceased head of household can be converted to paper or card-type local gift certificates or general prepaid cards, but only for minors in the same household.

How can soldiers on mandatory service apply for the consumption coupons?

Considering the mobility restrictions of military service, a separate application and usage process has been established. If the soldier applies for and uses the coupon personally, the nationwide military stores (PX) have been added as eligible usage locations, but only if the coupon is received on the Nara Sarang Card. If the soldier wishes to apply and receive the coupon offline, they can submit the application by mail to the local city, county, or district office of their registered address. The local government can then send the paper-type local gift certificates to the soldier's unit for distribution.

If a soldier wishes to have someone apply on their behalf, a 'photo of the power of attorney' can be submitted instead of the original document. The proxy should visit the community center with the photo of the power of attorney and a photo of the 'Certificate of Active Duty Service' issued by the unit, in order to apply.

How can residents of nursing hospitals or care facilities apply for the consumption coupons?

Normally, only the legal representative, a household member registered at the same address, a spouse, or a direct ascendant or descendant can apply as a proxy. Exceptionally, siblings have also been allowed to apply as proxies.

In addition, considering the difficulty of preparing a power of attorney for those in nursing hospitals or facilities, the required documents for proxy application have been simplified. The proxy must bring: ▲ their own ID ▲ documents proving the relationship between the proxy and the recipient ▲ documents proving admission to a nursing hospital or care facility, and visit the community center of the recipient's registered address to receive the coupons.

Furthermore, for elderly or disabled residents with mobility difficulties, local governments plan to operate a 'visiting application' service, where staff will visit the resident’s home to collect the application upon request.

If someone moves to a depopulated area after June 18, can they receive additional support?

If the person has completed the move-in notification after the reference date, they can receive additional funds in the form of paper or card-type local gift certificates or general prepaid cards through an objection application.

Additionally, if the move-in notification is completed before receiving the consumption coupon, it is possible to change the usage region when applying for a credit or debit card both online and offline, and to apply for local gift certificates or prepaid cards at the community center in the new area.

If the consumption coupon has already been received, the usage region for credit or debit cards can be freely changed online or offline. However, if paper-type local gift certificates or prepaid cards were received in the previous area, the usage region cannot be changed.

If someone becomes a Basic Livelihood Security recipient after June 18, can they receive the 400,000 won consumption coupon?

If the person did not meet the criteria for vulnerable groups as of the reference date but newly qualifies during the objection period, they can receive the consumption coupon amount appropriate for their status through an objection application.

Can the consumption coupon be used at kiosks or table ordering systems?

Since kiosks and table ordering systems are often operated by separate payment agencies, the use of consumption coupons may be restricted. This is because sales are recorded as revenue for the payment agency headquarters, making it impossible to verify the sales amount or region of the actual business where the consumption took place.

Can the consumption coupon be used for public transportation such as taxis, buses, or subways?

For individual taxis, the coupon can be used if the taxi’s registered garage is in the eligible usage region. For corporate taxis, the coupon can be used if the corporation is located in the eligible region and has annual sales of 3 billion won or less.

The consumption coupon cannot be used with transportation cards for buses or subways. Even if the prepaid transportation card function is embedded in a general card, transportation payments are deducted from a separate account, making usage impossible. Postpaid transportation payments are categorized as 'automatic card payments,' which is a restricted industry for consumption coupon use.