Suwon Eases Emergency Living Subsidy Standards and Simplifies Documentation

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 27th that the eligibility standards for the 'Emergency Living Subsidy' provided to low-income households in crisis who do not benefit from existing welfare systems or COVID-19 support programs have been eased.

The income standard for support recipients has been eased from 'household income decreased by 25% or more (due to job loss, business closure, etc. from COVID-19)' to 'persons with decreased income'.

Emergency Living Subsidy recipients are low-income households in crisis whose total household income is 75% or less of the median income standard and whose property is 350 million won or less, and whose household income has decreased due to job loss, business closure, and other impacts from COVID-19.

The documentation required for application has been simplified. In addition to official income verification documents issued by the National Tax Service, applicants can apply without submitting a separate income decrease report if they have documents that can objectively confirm income decrease, such as bank account transaction history (income information verification).

Day laborers and small business owners who were unable to apply because it was difficult to prove income decrease with objective documents can now conveniently apply for the subsidy using bank account transaction history and other documentation, which is expected to increase the number of applicants and beneficiaries.

The city plans to provide 'visiting services' using community welfare councils and honorary social welfare officials to actively identify neighbors in need of assistance due to income decrease.

Wang Cheol-ho, head of the Autonomous Administration Division at Suwon City, said, "Since application procedures have been simplified and the period has been extended, we will do our best to ensure more citizens can receive support."

Emergency Living Subsidies for households in crisis can be applied for by household heads through the 'Welfare Portal' website (http://www.bokjiro.go.kr) and mobile Welfare Portal (m.bokjiro.go.kr).

Online applications are available on weekends. However, on the final day, November 6th, applications can be made until 6 p.m.

Applications can be made in person at the neighborhood Administrative Welfare Center in the registered address area from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Household heads, household members, and representatives can submit in-person applications at the neighborhood Administrative Welfare Center.

After investigating income and property, whether income has decreased, and whether there is duplicate benefits from existing welfare systems and COVID-19 support programs, payment eligibility will be determined considering priorities such as ▲persons with income decrease of 25% or more ▲the ratio of income decrease ▲urgent circumstances due to COVID-19.

Payments will be made sequentially within the budget in November and December. Support amounts are 400,000 won for single-person households, 600,000 won for two-person households, 800,000 won for three-person households, and 1,000,000 won for households of four or more persons. Payment is made once through direct deposit to bank accounts.

For inquiries, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare Call Center (129), Suwon City Emergency Living Subsidy Dedicated Call Center (031-228-4600), or the neighborhood Administrative Welfare Center in your area of residence.