Official South Korean government (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) one-time relief payment for Korean residents — eligibility, amounts, schedule, and where to spend
| Region | Basic Livelihood | Near-Poor / Single Parent | Bottom 70% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan | 550,000 | 450,000 | 100,000 |
| Non-Metropolitan | 600,000 | 500,000 | 150,000 |
| Preferred Support Area | +200,000 KRW |
| Special Support Area | +250,000 KRW |
| Usable area | Inside the applicant's registered address (metropolitan city or si/gun) |
| Gift certificate | Merchants that accept the local gift certificate |
| Card payments | Small businesses with annual revenue ≤ 3 billion KRW |
| Not allowed | Entertainment/gambling, hypermarkets, dept stores, online malls |
| Deadline | Aug 31, 2026 (unused balance expires, not refundable) |
This page is a South Korea–only program summary based on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's official notice (as of April 2026). It applies exclusively to residents registered in the Republic of Korea. Details and amounts may change per government notice and municipal ordinance — always verify the latest info on the official page or at your community center before applying.
This is a South Korean government program. In 2026 the Republic of Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) is disbursing a one-time 100,000–600,000 KRW relief payment per person to Korean residents who are basic livelihood recipients, near-poor and single-parent households, or in the bottom 70% of income earners, to ease the burden of high fuel and consumer prices. Eligibility requires Korean resident registration. Recipients choose between a local gift certificate, credit/debit card top-up, or prepaid card, and spend the funds at small merchants within their registered address in South Korea by August 31, 2026.
Yes — the payment is per person. Each household member applies and receives individually, though minors and dependents can be filed for by the household head per local instructions.
The registered address (주민등록상 주소) determines the application and where you can spend. If you live elsewhere you must spend within the registered-address region, so check whether a move-in registration update is needed.
You must apply within the 1st or 2nd round window. There is no automatic disbursement; unfiled applicants do not receive the payment.
No. It is not usable at stores with annual revenue above 3 billion KRW (hypermarkets, department stores, SSM, online malls) nor at entertainment/gambling outlets. Use it at neighborhood shops, traditional markets, restaurants, clinics, etc.
Any unused balance after August 31, 2026 expires and is not refundable — plan to spend it in time.
Korean nationals with domestic registration are the default recipients. Some permanent residents and marriage-immigrant foreigners may qualify; confirm eligibility at your local community center.
Korea's 2026 Ministry of the Interior and Safety high oil price relief payment provides 100,000 to 600,000 KRW per person to basic livelihood recipients, near-poor and single-parent households, and the bottom 70% of earners, scaled by metropolitan or non-metropolitan residence. Residents of population-decline localities receive an extra 200,000 or 250,000 KRW. Applications run April 27 to May 8 (1st round) and May 18 to July 3 (2nd round and bottom 70%) with choice of local gift certificate, credit/debit card top-up, or prepaid card. Funds must be spent by August 31, 2026 at small merchants (≤3 billion KRW annual revenue) within the registered address region. Inquiries: 110 (government) or 02-2100-3399 (MOIS).