High-Price Oil Relief Fund Payments to Begin April 27th

To alleviate the burden on citizens struggling with high oil prices, the government will start distributing the 'High-Price Oil Relief Fund' on April 27th. The fund, totaling 6.1 trillion won, will provide between 100,000 and 600,000 won per person to 70% of the population based on income. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained that the criteria for selecting the 70% of citizens will be similar to those used for last year's 'Civilian Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupon' program. The government plans to maintain the fund's original objectives of supporting small businesses and revitalizing local economies.

Spending is restricted to the recipient's registered municipality. Those residing in special cities, metropolitan cities, Sejong, or Jeju can use the fund anywhere within their respective provincial or city-provincial boundaries. Residents of provincial areas are limited to spending within the city or county where they live. This geographical restriction is based on policy goals to promote local consumption within typical living areas of metropolitan cities and cities/counties.

Eligible places of use vary by payment method. Local gift certificates can be used at affiliated merchants within the issuing municipality. For credit/check cards or prepaid cards, spending is allowed at small businesses with annual sales under 3 billion won, with exceptions for certain types. Franchise outlets are included, but directly operated stores are excluded. Small businesses operating as tenants within department stores or large supermarkets, such as flower shops and opticians, are also permitted. In rural areas (eup/myeon) where consumption conditions are less favorable, local agricultural cooperatives (Hanaro Mart, local food direct sales stores, regional consumer cooperatives) can be used regardless of their sales volume.

The relief fund cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, or duty-free shops. Non-face-to-face payments via online shopping malls and delivery apps are also generally restricted. However, delivery app orders paid for in person using the merchant's own payment terminal are an exception. Gas stations are also restricted to businesses with annual sales under 3 billion won. Other excluded expenditures include those in entertainment and gambling sectors, cash-conversion businesses (like gift certificate exchanges), automatic payments for utilities and telecommunications, insurance premium payments, donations, and payments made through third-party electronic payment systems like kiosks or table ordering systems.

Recipients qualifying for basic livelihood security will receive 600,000 won, while those in the near-poor class and single-parent families will receive 500,000 won. An additional 50,000 won will be provided to these groups if they reside in non-metropolitan areas or depopulated regions.