Jeongeup City to Provide Additional "Public Benefit Allowance" Payments Until December 3

Jeongeup Love Gift Certificates Distributed
"Boosting the Local Economy Expected"

Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province will provide additional payments of the Farmer Public Benefit Allowance to farmers who were previously omitted, in order to eliminate administrative blind spots and support the management stability of local farms. These payments will be made until December 3.

Exterior view of Jeongeup City Hall. Provided by Jeongeup City

According to the city on November 28, this additional payment was arranged to provide relief for farmers who were unable to apply during the initial application period due to unavoidable circumstances.

The city accepted additional applications from October 20 to November 2, and after a review process, 197 final recipients were selected to receive this benefit. The payment amount is 600,000 won for single-person households and 300,000 won per person for households with two or more people, based on registered farm management information.

Previously, on September 12, the city distributed the first round of allowances to 13,278 farmers. Including the additional recipients, the total number of farmers receiving the Farmer Public Benefit Allowance in Jeongeup City this year will increase to 13,475.

The Farmer Public Benefit Allowance is a program designed to preserve and enhance the public functions of agriculture and rural communities, thereby creating a sustainable agricultural environment. Eligible recipients are farm managers who have continuously resided in North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province for at least one year as of January 1, 2024, and have registered and maintained their farm management entity.

However, those whose non-agricultural total income exceeded 37 million won in 2023, or who have a history of administrative sanctions due to fraudulent subsidy claims or illegal acts, are excluded from eligibility.

The allowance is provided uniformly in the form of "Jeongeup Love Gift Certificates" to promote local consumption. The received gift certificates can be freely used at affiliated stores within the region for up to five years.

Notably, unlike ordinary local currency, these public benefit allowance gift certificates can also be used at large affiliated stores with annual sales exceeding 3 billion won, which is expected to improve convenience for farmers and make a significant contribution to revitalizing the local economy.

Farmers who receive the allowance are required to fulfill their responsibilities as guardians of the public value of rural areas. This includes voluntarily preserving the ecosystem, properly disposing of agricultural waste, complying with appropriate standards for the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and maintaining beekeeping operations.

The city plans to regularly monitor compliance and will reclaim allowances and restrict future participation in the program for farms that are found to be non-compliant, ensuring thorough post-management.

Mayor Lee Haksoo stated, "The Farmer Public Benefit Allowance is a form of social consideration that rewards the sweat and hard work of farmers, and it serves as a priming force for revitalizing the local economy. I hope this additional payment will provide tangible support for the livelihood stability of local farmers who are facing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and an aging population."