About 40 million people applied for the 'livelihood recovery consumption coupon' that provides a basic amount of 150,000 won per person, one week after the first application period opened. The amount of consumption coupons distributed has exceeded 7 trillion won.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 28th that 39.67 million people, accounting for 78.4% of consumption coupon recipients as of midnight, have applied. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, 54.4% applied within a week when emergency disaster support funds were distributed. In 2021, 68.2% of people applied for the national support fund during the same period. The application rate is 10 to 24 percentage points higher than in the past.
By region, the application rate in Incheon was the highest at 83.7%. Other regions with high application rates include Daejeon (80.9%), Sejong (83.4%), and Gyeonggi (80.0%). Seoul has a rate of 79.2%. The area with the lowest number of applicants is Jeonnam at 70.4%.
Among those who received consumption coupons via credit or debit cards, they account for 74.9% of all applicants. Mobile and card local love gift certificates make up 15.4%, paper local love gift certificates 1.5%, and prepaid cards 8.1%.
As the application for consumption coupons is proceeding smoothly, online applications were released from the designated day system based on birth years starting from the 26th. The designated day system was also lifted for offline applications at local community centers from this day. Until the application deadline of 6 p.m. on September 12, anyone can apply regardless of their birth year.
The government is also promoting a 'visiting application' service for citizens who have mobility difficulties, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. If a citizen with mobility issues requests assistance at their local residents' center, a public official from the responsible local government will visit their home or community center. The government plans to proactively provide the 'visiting application' service to citizens living in facilities for disaster victims, elderly, or disabilities.
As of midnight on that day, the amount of consumption coupons distributed is 7.12 trillion won, averaging 179,465 won per applicant. The standard consumption coupon amount is 150,000 won, while the lower-income bracket and single-parent families receive 300,000 won, and basic livelihood recipients get 400,000 won. Areas outside the capital receive an additional 30,000 won, and 84 rural population decline regions receive an additional 50,000 won.