
Are You Ready for the 2nd Round of the Livelihood Support Fund?
On September 22, 2025, the much-anticipated application process for the 2nd round of the Livelihood Support Fund began, capturing the attention of countless citizens. So, what’s different this time compared to the first round? This support fund is a crucial government initiative aimed at stabilizing citizens' lives and boosting economic recovery. Let’s dive into the key changes and features of the 2nd round.
Shift to Targeted Distribution in the 2nd Round
Unlike the first round, the 2nd Livelihood Support Fund adopts a selective distribution approach. Support is now focused on citizens within the bottom 90% of income earners, rather than being available to the entire population. This change reflects the government’s strong commitment to directing aid where it is truly needed.
Payment Amount and Usage Locations
The payment amount remains unchanged from the first round, set at 100,000 KRW per person, with a total disbursement reaching approximately 9 trillion KRW. Notably, the range of eligible spending locations has expanded. In addition to stores with annual sales under 3 billion KRW, local cooperative stores such as Hansalim and Dure have now been added, allowing funds to be used more broadly within community cooperatives.
Application Process and Important Notes
Applications for the Livelihood Support Fund will be accepted from September 22 through 6 PM on October 31, giving applicants around 40 days to apply. To prevent system overload, a weekday system based on the last digit of applicants’ birth years will be in effect during the first week—so be sure to check your day! Applications can be made online via credit card company apps or call centers, and the Toss app offers instant verification of eligibility.
Usage Deadline and Regional Restrictions
The 2nd Livelihood Support Fund must be used by November 30, 2025. Any unused funds will automatically expire and be reclaimed by the government and local authorities, so be sure to spend it in time. Additionally, usage is restricted to the applicant’s region of residence, which is expected to bolster local economies.
Carefully designed and refined, the 2nd Livelihood Support Fund promises a meaningful impact on stabilizing daily life and fostering economic recovery. Eligible individuals should familiarize themselves with the application period and methods to make the most of this opportunity. Through this support, we hope everyone can overcome economic challenges, even if just a little.
Changed Livelihood Support Fund: Selective Distribution and Expanded Usage
The second round of the Livelihood Support Fund has sparked considerable public interest. However, this time, there is a significant change compared to the first round that deserves attention. How will these changes alter the effectiveness of the support fund?
First, the most noticeable change is the narrower eligibility criteria. While the first round targeted the entire population, this time it is limited to the bottom 90% income bracket. This reflects the government’s aim for more efficient and targeted support. It can be seen as an effort to enhance policy effectiveness by concentrating aid on those who truly need it.
Another notable change is the expansion of the fund’s usage locations. Beyond stores with annual sales under 3 billion won, prominent cooperative stores like Hansalim and Dure have also been included. This offers consumers a wider range of choices while simultaneously fostering positive changes by promoting local economies and eco-friendly consumption.
These changes are expected to improve the impact of the Livelihood Support Fund in several ways:
- Enhancing Policy Fairness: By excluding the top 10%, support can broadly include the middle class.
- Revitalizing Local Economies: The expanded usage locations allow more small businesses to benefit.
- Promoting Eco-friendly Consumption: Inclusion of cooperative stores can increase environmentally conscious spending.
- Improving Fiscal Efficiency: Selective distribution enables more effective use of limited budgets.
In conclusion, these changes in the second Livelihood Support Fund demonstrate its evolution from a simple cash payout to a more sophisticated and effective economic policy tool. It will be crucial to observe what outcomes this carefully considered support, which takes into account consumers, small business owners, and local economies, will bring.
In-Depth Exploration of Living Support Fund Application Methods and Eligibility
From applying by birth year’s last digit day system to selection based on health insurance premium criteria, here’s everything you must know about the complex yet essential application process and eligibility standards for the Living Support Fund! Unlike before, the 2nd round adopts a selective payment method, demanding even more careful attention. Let’s dive into the details now.
How to Apply: Starting with Birth Year’s Last Digit Day System
Applications for the 2nd Living Support Fund will be accepted from September 22 to October 31 at 6 PM, lasting about 40 days. To prevent system overload during the first week, a day system based on the last digit of your birth year will be implemented, so please be aware:
- Monday: Ending in 1, 6
- Tuesday: Ending in 2, 7
- Wednesday: Ending in 3, 8
- Thursday: Ending in 4, 9
- Friday: Ending in 5, 0
- Weekend: All ages can apply
Applications are mainly processed online via credit card company apps or call centers. The Toss app offers convenient instant eligibility checks through the ‘Living Coupon Main Application.’ However, note that applications are unavailable daily from 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM due to system maintenance.
Eligibility Criteria: Selection Based on Health Insurance Premiums
The core of the 2nd Living Support Fund lies in income-based selective payments. Eligibility is determined by the total household health insurance premium (excluding long-term care insurance) as of June 2025. Please carefully check the different standards for workplace subscribers and regional subscribers.
Workplace Subscribers Standards (Monthly Health Insurance Premium)
- Single-person household: 220,000 KRW or less
- Two-person household: 330,000 KRW or less
- Three-person household: 420,000 KRW or less
- Four-person household: 510,000 KRW or less
- Five-person household: 600,000 KRW or less
Regional Subscribers (Self-employed, etc.) Standards
- Single-person household: 220,000 KRW or less
- Two-person household: 310,000 KRW or less
- Three-person household: 390,000 KRW or less
- Four-person household: 500,000 KRW or less
Only citizens falling within the bottom 90% income bracket based on these criteria will receive the Living Support Fund. This measure aims to concentrate support on those who truly need assistance.
Important Notes: Usage Deadline and Regional Restrictions
The Living Support Fund must be used by November 30, 2025. Any unused amount after this date will be automatically forfeited and reclaimed by the government and local authorities, so be sure to use it within the period.
Additionally, usage is limited to the resident area. Those living in special or metropolitan cities can only use it within their respective city, while residents in provinces must use it within their city or county. This is designed to stimulate the local economy, so keep it in mind.
The 2nd Living Support Fund strives to maximize policy effectiveness through more precise and selective support. Although it seems complex, if you carefully review and apply, you can benefit without major difficulties. Get to know the fund well and apply on time so you don’t miss out!
Additional Regional Support for Livelihood Subsidies: Some Receiving Up to 600,000 Won?
As the second round of livelihood subsidies begins, certain local governments are offering extra benefits on top of the central government's support. This marks a notable shift towards customized policies aimed at revitalizing local economies and stabilizing residents' lives.
Dramatic Extra Support from Yeonggwang County, Jeonnam
The case of Yeonggwang County in Jeonnam stands out especially. The county announced an additional 500,000 won on top of the government's 100,000 won livelihood subsidy, resulting in a total support of 600,000 won per resident. This level of aid is significantly higher than in other regions, and is expected to be met with enthusiastic approval from the local community.
Massive Budget Investment by Jeonnam Province
Jeonnam Province is also showing proactive efforts. It is operating the second phase of consumer recovery coupons with a total budget of 169.9 billion won. Of this, 152.9 billion won comes from national funds, while the rest is covered by the province’s own budget. This initiative clearly demonstrates Jeonnam's strong commitment to boosting its regional economy.
Passing of the Livelihood Recovery Subsidy Ordinance in Geoje City
In Geoje City, Gyeongsangnam-do, the ordinance for livelihood recovery subsidies recently passed the city council’s plenary session. This indicates plans for additional support are underway in Geoje as well. Although specific support amounts and methods have yet to be announced, residents’ anticipation is rising.
The Significance of Tailored Regional Support
Such region-specific additional support goes beyond merely increasing the amount. It reflects customized policies tailored to each area's unique characteristics and needs. By supplementing and expanding upon central government measures, local governments are maximizing the impact of livelihood subsidies.
Concerns have been raised about potential fairness issues between regions due to these additional supports. However, most experts agree on the need for flexible policy implementation that suits each region’s circumstances. More local governments are expected to adopt similar supplementary subsidy policies moving forward, which is anticipated to further enhance the effectiveness of the livelihood subsidy program.
Livelihood Support Funds: Not Just Cash, But a Secret Weapon for Economic Revitalization
Do you remember the overwhelming success of the first round of livelihood support funds? With a staggering 99% application rate, a total of approximately 50.08 million people received 9.0693 trillion won. This figure is more than just a number. It proves that the livelihood support funds precisely reflected the real needs of the people and acted as a powerful tool for economic revitalization.
Building on this success, the second round of livelihood support funds has evolved one step further. This time, a new strategy called ‘selective distribution’ was introduced. Targeting the bottom 90% in terms of income, what does this approach really mean?
- Efficient Allocation of Resources: By focusing support on those who truly need help, it enhances the effectiveness of the policy.
- Ensuring Fairness: While providing broad assistance that includes the middle class, it excludes the top 10%, balancing the policy’s fairness.
- Revitalizing Local Economies: Restrictions on where and when the funds can be used encourage swift consumption, directly supporting local businesses.
Livelihood support funds are not simple cash handouts. Distributed in the form of consumption coupons, they encourage spending rather than saving and are designed to offer tangible aid to small business owners and regional economies through usage limitations—a sophisticated economic policy.
Take Busan as an example: during the first round, 3.2 million people received 645.5 billion won, injecting tremendous vitality into the local economy. In the second round, 330,000 people applied on the very first day alone, with 33.3 billion won disbursed. This clearly demonstrates that livelihood support funds serve as a powerful catalyst for circulating money within regional economies.
Moreover, some local governments are offering additional support. For instance, Yeonggwang County in Jeollanam-do announced an extra 500,000 won on top of the government support, totaling 600,000 won. This shows how the livelihood support funds are evolving into an even stronger tool for economic stimulation through cooperation between central and local governments.
In conclusion, the second round of livelihood support funds is not just about handing out cash—it is a carefully crafted policy that thoughtfully considers the lives of citizens and the economy. Through this, we can overcome challenging times together and move toward a path of stronger economic recovery. Livelihood support funds are the hidden heroes and vitality boosters of our economy.
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