Suwon and Gyeonggi Province Foreign Resident Disaster Basic Income: 12.26% Applied on First Day

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] On June 1st, the first day of applications for foreign resident disaster basic income in Suwon and Gyeonggi Province, 12.26% of all eligible applicants completed their applications.

Suwon and Gyeonggi Province are each providing 100,000 won in disaster basic income (totaling 200,000 won) to foreign residents. Eligible applicants are married immigrants (F6 visa) and permanent residents (F5 visa) who were registered as residents in Gyeonggi Province before 24:00 on May 4th and are currently registered as residents in Suwon at the time of application. There are 11,454 eligible recipients. Of these, 1,404 applied on June 1st.

Applications must be made at the district administrative welfare centers by July 31st. The combined disaster basic income from Suwon and Gyeonggi Province will be distributed at 200,000 won per person via prepaid card. The funds can be used at Gyeonggi regional currency affiliated merchants in Suwon until August 31st.

Personal application is the principle, but minors and those unable to apply in person due to unavoidable circumstances may apply through a proxy. Proxies must submit identification documents for both the applicant and proxy, as well as documentation proving family relationship between the two.

A "staggered application system" will be implemented from June 1st to 5th. Those born in years ending in 2 or 7 must apply on Tuesday, 3 or 8 on Wednesday, 4 or 9 on Thursday, and 5 or 0 on Friday. From June 8th, anyone can apply regardless of the day of the week.

Applications can be made at district administrative welfare centers from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. until June 5th, and from June 8th through July 31st during weekday business hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Foreign residents who have difficulty communicating in Korean will receive support from volunteer translators/interpreters connected through foreign resident support and private consignment facilities for visiting applications.

A foreign resident who applied for disaster basic income on June 1st said, "As the COVID-19 situation has prolonged, I have been facing severe financial difficulties," and added, "Receiving the foreign resident disaster basic income has helped ease my worries somewhat." The resident further stated, "The foreign resident disaster basic income support appears to be a good policy without discrimination."

For inquiries, contact the Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031-120) or Suwon City Human Call Center (1899-3300).