68.55% of Suwon Households Apply for Government Emergency Disaster Relief Funds

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] As of 12:00 a.m. on May 17, the City of Suwon announced that 339,591 out of 495,346 eligible households (including 36,275 vulnerable populations distributed on May 4) have applied for the government emergency disaster relief funds.

The government emergency disaster relief funds can be applied for through credit and debit card company websites and call centers, banks affiliated with credit and debit card companies, and community service centers in applicants' residential areas.

Online applications (through websites) that began on May 11 had the '5-day rotation application system' lifted starting May 16. Anyone can apply for emergency disaster relief funds on any day of the week regardless of their birth year through card company websites. Citizens having difficulty with online applications can also apply by phone. They can call the call center number printed on the back of their card.

Starting May 18, citizens can visit banks affiliated with credit and debit cards and community service centers in their residential areas (weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to apply. They can visit the card-affiliated bank branch, fill out an application form, and submit it. After receiving an approval notification and charging confirmation message, they can use the emergency disaster relief funds.

Those applying at a community service center can choose to receive the emergency disaster relief funds through Suwon Pay (local currency) or a prepaid card. Proxies such as household members can apply on behalf of applicants at community service centers. Identification documents from both the applicant and the proxy are required. Suwon Pay holders must bring their cards. They can use the funds upon receiving a charging confirmation message.

Bank and community service center applications follow the same '5-day rotation application system' as the 'mask purchase 5-day system.' Those born in years ending in 1 or 6 must apply on Mondays; those ending in 2 or 7 on Tuesdays; those ending in 3 or 8 on Wednesdays; those ending in 4 or 9 on Thursdays; and those ending in 5 or 0 on Fridays.

Elderly people and persons with disabilities can use the 'visiting and welcoming application' service. Community service center staff and caregivers at social welfare facilities visit the homes of eligible citizens to process applications on their behalf.

Government emergency disaster relief funds must be used by August 31. They can be used in the metropolitan area where the individual resides.

However, Suwon Pay can only be used in Suwon. Citizens who moved to a different metropolitan area after March 29 can change the usage region for emergency disaster relief funds one time.

Emergency disaster relief funds cannot be used at department stores, large discount chains, or large electronics retailers. Any remaining balance will not be refunded.

Suwon residents will receive 871,000 won in government emergency disaster relief funds based on the '4 or more household members' standard. Three-member households receive 697,000 won, two-member households 523,000 won, and single-member households 348,000 won.

The amounts announced by the government for emergency disaster relief funds are 400,000 won for single-member households, 600,000 won for two-member households, 800,000 won for three-member households, and 1 million won for households with 4 or more members. The difference between the government-announced amounts and Suwon residents' payment amounts is due to the ratio of national and local funding.

The national and local funding ratio for government emergency disaster relief funds is 87.17% and 12.83% respectively (provincial and city budgets 50% each). The City of Suwon and Gyeonggi Province, which are already providing 'disaster basic income' (100,000 won per person) to all residents, will provide only national funds to their citizens.

Suwon residents with 4-member households will receive a total of 1,671,000 won: 'Suwon City disaster basic income' of 400,000 won, 'Gyeonggi Province disaster basic income' of 400,000 won, and government emergency disaster relief funds of 871,000 won.

Emergency disaster relief funds are provided in cash to vulnerable populations. On May 4, Suwon City completed fund deposits to 36,275 vulnerable households (recipients of basic living allowances, basic pensions, and disability allowances).

The number of household members can be checked on the Emergency Disaster Relief Funds website (https://www.긴급재난지원금.kr).

The City of Suwon and the Gyeonggi Joint Council for Social Welfare are conducting a 'Overcoming Suwon Together' sharing campaign in partnership with the Community Chest of Korea, which collects 'disaster basic income' donations. As of 12:00 a.m. on May 17, the amount raised was 443.61 million won (2,245 cases). The donations are planned to be distributed to residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citizens wishing to donate can deposit funds into the special fundraising account (Nonghyup 317-0003-8354-31, Account holder: Gyeonggi Joint Council for Social Welfare) or place donations in collection boxes installed at each community service center.

Donors can select recipients—small business owners, unemployed youth, low-income and underserved citizens facing hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic—on the designated donation form and make contributions accordingly.

Inquiries about emergency disaster relief funds: 1899-3300 (Suwon City Human Call Center), 031-228-4600 (Suwon City Dedicated Call Center), or your residential area's community service center.