"Groceries and Family Dining, Too"... On the First Day of the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon [Report]

Up to 400,000 Won Per Person... Applications Begin on the First Day
Long Lines at Centers Amid Scorching Heat Over 30 Degrees
Day-of-the-Week System Applied Based on Birth Year
Payment Made the Day After Application... Usable Until November 30
"It's Not Much, But It Will Help With Living Expenses"

After last week's heavy rains swept through, a heatwave has returned. On the morning of the 21st, the perceived temperature in Gwangju exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. On this sweaty Monday, citizens continued to visit the administrative welfare centers in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, and Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju to apply for the "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon." This program, the first large-scale economic stimulus measure by the Lee Jaemyung administration, began accepting its first round of applications on this day.

On the morning of the 21st, a day-of-the-week system notice for applying for the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon is posted at the entrance of the Jungheung-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

The application process at the Jungheung-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Buk-gu was as follows: after filling out the application form on the first floor, applicants waited for their turn to submit it on the second floor. Each desk in front of the civil service counters was equipped with a power of attorney form, application form, and pens. Citizens looked over the documents and took out their identification cards. A diverse group of people, from elderly individuals to young people who came alone and parents applying on behalf of their children, lined up at the counter. When a staff member explained, "If your daughter is an adult, you also need to fill out a power of attorney," a woman in her 60s nodded and replied, "It used to be simpler before, but now it's different again."

The "day-of-the-week system," which determines the application day based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year, was implemented for the first time on this day. Although the notice was clear, some people still came on the wrong day. A man in his 70s, after checking his resident registration number with a staff member, said, "I thought it was today, but apparently not. I guess I'll have to come back tomorrow," and turned away looking embarrassed.

A woman identified as Park (57) said, "I thought the prepaid card would be more convenient to use than online, so I made sure to come at the right time." She added, "These days, even a single grocery trip costs tens of thousands of won, so this kind of support is especially welcome in the summer."

On the morning of the 21st, citizens are filling out applications for livelihood recovery consumption coupons at the civil service office of Yangnim-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

The situation was similar at the Yangnim-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu. Citizens entered the civil service office holding application forms, and on one side, a middle-aged woman was seen carefully reading a pamphlet. Elderly people sat quietly in the waiting area, holding fans and waiting for their names to be called. One citizen, looking at the queue ticket, muttered, "If I had known it would be like this, I would have come early in the morning."

A man identified as Kim (71) said, "I'm grateful for the support, but I can't help but wonder if all of this comes from taxes," and laughed. He continued, "For now, I figured it's better to get something in hand, so I applied, but honestly, I'd prefer if my living expenses were just a bit lower."

A woman in her 30s, met nearby, said she lives with her family of four. She was preparing to apply online and commented, "If it were cash, I would have saved it, but since it's a coupon, I'll probably use it for groceries or dining out with my family." She added, "Even though the amount isn't large, there are immediate uses for it."

On the 21st, when the application for the Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon began, an employee at the Daebang-dong Community Center in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, is receiving applications for the consumption coupon. Photo by Yonhap News

The Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon provides a basic amount of 150,000 won per person. Members of the lower-income class and single-parent families receive 300,000 won, while basic livelihood security recipients receive 400,000 won. In addition, residents outside the Seoul metropolitan area receive an extra 30,000 won, and those living in rural areas with declining populations receive an additional 50,000 won. Applications are accepted until September 12, either online or at the administrative welfare center in the applicant's town, township, or neighborhood. Payment is made starting the day after application, and the coupons can be used until November 30.

Applicants can choose among credit card points, prepaid cards, or local gift certificates as the method of payment. However, the coupon cannot be used as cash. Usage is restricted to small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. It cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, or through delivery apps. Payment must be made directly using the card terminal at the store.