2026 Chuseok Relief Payments: Up to ₩500,000—How Much Can You Get in Your Area?

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How Livelihood Support Payments Could Change Your Bank Account and Wallet Before Chuseok

As spending rises on Chuseok grocery shopping and gift preparations, livelihood support payments of up to 500,000 won per person are making their way into the wallets of local residents. In some regions, the support does not end with a single payment. In Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong Province, for example, residents can receive an additional payment before Chuseok on top of the support provided earlier in the year—bringing the annual total to as much as 800,000 won.

However, this support is not a nationwide program paid out uniformly by the central government. The key factors are which local government your registered address belongs to, as well as whether you meet that region’s eligibility date and application period requirements.

The key is your address—not your income.
Even members of the same family may receive different amounts or payment methods if their registered addresses are different.

Region	Support amount	Payment method	What to note
Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province	500,000 won per person	Uiryeong Love Gift Certificates	Currently among the highest support amounts
Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong Province	Additional 300,000 won before Chuseok	Rainbow Yeongdong Pay	Up to 800,000 won annually, including the 500,000 won provided earlier in the year
Wanju County, North Jeolla Province	300,000 won per person	Prepaid card	Applications and payments take place around Chuseok
Buan County, North Jeolla Province	300,000 won per person	Prepaid card for use within the region	Payments concentrated just before Chuseok
Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province	500,000 won per person	Check local announcements	Among the highest amounts, along with Uiryeong County
Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province	350,000 won per person	Check local announcements	Relatively generous level of support
Naju City, South Jeolla Province	200,000 won per person	Check local announcements	Universal support for city residents
Gimhae City, South Gyeongsang Province	100,000 won per person	Check local announcements	Shows the gap in support between regions

Rather than being deposited directly into bank accounts as cash, these livelihood support payments are often provided through local currency, mobile gift certificates, or prepaid cards. The goal is to ease the burden of everyday expenses while encouraging residents to spend the support at local restaurants, supermarkets, traditional markets, and neighborhood shops—helping money circulate through local businesses as well.

That is why, just as important as asking “How much will I receive?” is asking, “By when, where, and through which card or gift certificate will I receive it?” Most local governments designate a specific resident-registration reference date to determine eligibility. If you moved into the area after that date or moved to another region before applying, you may be excluded from receiving the support.

To make sure you do not miss out on your share before Chuseok, check these three things right away:

• Whether a livelihood support payment announcement has been issued for your registered address
• The eligibility reference date and the conditions for moving in or out of the area
• The application period, submission location, and payment method

Support amounts vary widely by region, ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 won. The simple habit of checking your local government’s announcement first could be the fastest way to reduce the financial burden of this Chuseok.

How Much Is the Local Livelihood Support Payment? A Gap of Up to KRW 500,000

“Why is the neighboring area giving KRW 500,000 while our area is giving only KRW 100,000?”

The livelihood support payments being distributed ahead of Chuseok in 2026 vary widely by region. Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province and Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province are each providing KRW 500,000 per resident, while Gimhae City in South Gyeongsang Province is offering KRW 100,000. Even though residents are facing the same period and similar inflationary pressures, the amount of support can differ by as much as fivefold depending on where they live.

Region	Support per resident	Main payment method
Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province	KRW 500,000	Uiryeong Love Gift Certificates
Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province	KRW 500,000	Local currency and other locally usable payment methods
Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province	KRW 350,000	Check the local announcement for details
Goheung County, South Jeolla Province	KRW 300,000	Local currency or card-based payment may be available
Wanju County, North Jeolla Province	KRW 300,000	Prepaid card
Buan County, North Jeolla Province	KRW 300,000	Prepaid card usable within the region
Naju City, South Jeolla Province	KRW 200,000	Check the local payment method
Gimhae City, South Gyeongsang Province	KRW 100,000	Check the local announcement for details

Why the Amounts Differ by Region

The biggest reason is that this support is not a nationwide program run uniformly by the central government. Instead, it is an independent program determined and funded by each local government. Each region secures funding through a supplementary budget and sets the payment amount based on factors such as population size, fiscal capacity, local economic conditions, and policy priorities.

For example, counties with relatively small populations may be able to provide a larger amount to every resident. By contrast, densely populated cities would need a much larger budget to offer the same payment. This is why the size of the support is not simply a matter of “which region is more generous,” but rather the result of each region’s fiscal structure and policy decisions.

Don’t Focus Only on the Amount—Check the Eligibility Requirements

A larger payment does not necessarily mean that every resident will receive it automatically. In most cases, livelihood support payments place greater emphasis on the resident registration 기준일 and actual place of residence than on income.

Be sure to check the following:

• Whether you were registered as a resident of the 해당 region on the 기준일
• Whether you moved into the region after the 기준일 or moved out before applying
• Whether the application period has already begun or ended
• Whether the payment is provided as local currency, a prepaid card, or a mobile gift certificate
• The usage period and which affiliated merchants accept it

Whether the payment is KRW 500,000 or KRW 100,000, you cannot receive it if you miss the application period or fail to meet the address requirements. Therefore, before comparing amounts, the most practical first step is to check the official website of your local government and announcements from your eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare center.

The key is to check not only “how much will I receive?” but also “am I eligible?”
The gap between regions is substantial, but whether you actually receive the payment will ultimately depend on the resident registration 기준일 and the application schedule.

The Criteria That Determine Who Can—and Can’t—Receive the Livelihood Support Payment

For livelihood support payments, your “address” and the “reference date” matter more than your income or assets. Even people who appear to live in the same area may be treated differently depending on when their resident registration was completed and whether they moved out. In particular, if you lived in the area on the reference date but moved before applying, you may be excluded from the payment.

The First Thing to Check: The Resident Registration Reference Date

Most local governments finalize eligible recipients based on a specific date stated in the official announcement. For example, if the requirement says, “Residents registered in the area as of 12:00 a.m. on ○ month ○ day,” residents who moved in after that date may have difficulty receiving this round of livelihood support payments.

The items you need to check are simple:

• Whether you were registered as a resident of the local government on the reference date
• Whether household members, as well as the head of household, are included as eligible recipients
• Whether separate eligibility criteria apply to foreign nationals, marriage immigrants, and others
• Whether there are exceptions for people who moved into the area after the reference date

Even when the payment is provided universally, remember that it does not mean “everyone” receives it. It is generally paid to all residents who met the reference-date requirement.

Moving In Too Late May Exclude You—But Moving Out Too Soon Also Requires Caution

The most common source of confusion with livelihood support payments involves moving in or moving out. If you moved from another area after the reference date, you generally will not be included among the eligible recipients at your new address.

On the other hand, even if you were a resident of the area on the reference date, it is too soon to assume you are safe. Some local governments require applicants to continue living in the area on the application date or payment date. In other words, if you moved to another area after meeting the reference-date requirement, you may still be excluded during the application process.

The key is to check both your “address on the reference date” and your “residential status at the time of application.”

If you are planning to move, it is best to check the announcement first for how people who move out will be handled. The detailed rules vary by area.

No Income Requirement Doesn’t Mean There’s No Application Process

In 2026, many livelihood support payments are being provided to all residents without an income or asset review. However, whether the payment is automatic or requires a separate application varies by local government.

In particular, areas that issue the payment through local currency or prepaid cards may require the following procedures:

• Visiting the administrative welfare center in your town, township, or neighborhood of residence
• Submitting identification and verifying your identity
• Receiving the payment in one lump sum as the head of household or applying individually as a household member
• Collecting the prepaid card within the designated period
• Installing the local currency app and registering the card

If you miss the application period, you may be unable to receive the payment even if you are eligible, or the method of payment may change. Some areas, such as Buan County, operate a short, intensive payment period just before Chuseok, making it especially important to check the schedule.

A Three-Minute Checklist Before Applying

If you are unsure whether you qualify for the livelihood support payment, check the following in order:

1. Confirm whether an official payment announcement has been issued in your area.
2. Check the resident registration reference date.
3. Confirm whether your registered address was in the relevant area on that date.
4. Check whether you moved into or out of the area after the reference date.
5. Confirm the application period, location, and payment method.
6. Make a final inquiry with the local government website or your community service center.

Eligibility criteria can differ by region even when the payment has the same name. Rather than assuming, “I should qualify because my income is low,” the fastest and most accurate approach is to first confirm where your registered address was on the reference date.

The Real Reason Livelihood Support Payments Come as Local Currency Instead of Cash

You may wonder, “If it’s a support payment, why doesn’t it go directly into my bank account?” There is a clear purpose behind issuing livelihood support payments as local currency or prepaid cards. The policy is designed not only to ease the financial burden on households, but also to ensure that the funds flow to local shops and businesses in our own communities.

Supporting Household Expenses While Reviving the Local Economy

Cash comes with no restrictions on where it can be used. It can be saved, used to repay loans, or spent in other regions or on online shopping malls.

Local currency and prepaid cards, on the other hand, can generally be used only at participating businesses within the relevant city or county. When residents spend their support payments at neighborhood restaurants, traditional markets, hair salons, private academies, and small businesses, the money circulates within the community one more time.

The key to livelihood support payments lies not in the act of distributing them, but in quickly encouraging spending within the local community.

Consumer spending tends to rise before Chuseok, as people shop for groceries, dine out, and purchase gifts. This is also why local governments often concentrate the distribution of support payments around this period.

Local Currency Helps Keep Money from Leaving the Community

Using local currency reduces the share of support payments that flows to large online shopping malls or businesses located in other regions. When local residents make purchases at participating businesses in their own communities, sales increase. Small business owners then spend that money again within the region by purchasing goods or paying wages.

This process unfolds as follows:

1. Residents receive livelihood support payments in the form of local currency or prepaid cards.
2. They spend the money at local restaurants, supermarkets, traditional markets, and other businesses.
3. Small business sales increase.
4. The increased revenue leads to local employment and further spending within the community.

In other words, even with the same 100,000 won, this system increases the likelihood that the money will be used multiple times within the local economy rather than simply dispersing as cash.

The Form of Payment Varies Slightly by Region

Although each local government operates its program differently, the overall direction is the same. Uiryeong County uses local currency such as Uiryeong Sarang Gift Certificates, while Yeongdong County uses Rainbow Yeongdong Pay. Meanwhile, Wanju County, Buan County, and Gochang County have chosen prepaid cards that can be used within their respective regions.

Some regions operate mobile gift certificates alongside card-based payment methods, allowing both residents who are comfortable using smartphones and those who prefer physical cards to access the support.

However, eligible industries, participating businesses, and expiration dates may vary by region. After receiving the support payment, it is best to check the following details first by reviewing the information on the back of the card or the announcements issued by the local government:

• Areas and participating businesses where the payment can be used
• Excluded industries
• How to check the remaining balance
• Usage deadline
• Whether reissuance is possible in the event of loss or damage

Usage Deadlines Are Also Intended to Encourage Earlier Spending

Many livelihood support payments come with a usage deadline. Rather than being intended to inconvenience residents, this requirement is primarily designed to ensure that the funds are spent when they are needed instead of remaining unused for a long period of time.

Setting a usage deadline during periods when local spending is especially important, such as around Chuseok, can help traditional markets and neighborhood businesses recover their sales more quickly. Therefore, once you receive the support payment, it is better to use it strategically for necessary expenses—such as grocery shopping, meals, and essential household items—rather than putting it off.

Ultimately, livelihood support payments issued as local currency or prepaid cards are more than a simple one-time benefit. They serve as a link between household stability and local economic revitalization—reducing the financial burden on residents while bringing warmth and vitality back to local spending.

Could Cost-of-Living Support Payments Become a Spark for the Local Economy Beyond Welfare?

A one-time support payment can clearly help ease immediate burdens such as grocery bills, holiday preparations, and utility costs. However, looking at the moves made by local governments in 2026, cost-of-living support payments may have the potential to become more than one-off living assistance and take root as a recurring policy that drives local economies.

A notable example is Yeongdong County in North Chungcheong Province, which pursued a total of 800,000 won in support over the course of a year by providing 500,000 won at the beginning of the year and an additional 300,000 won before Chuseok. This is more than simply “a one-time payment made before the holiday.” It is closer to a policy experiment that takes into account both the timing of local consumption and the financial burdens faced by residents.

Two Goals: Supporting Living Costs and Boosting Local Consumption

Cost-of-living support payments serve two purposes at once.

• Stabilizing household finances: They ease the burden of food, transportation, and housing costs, which have grown amid high inflation and an economic slowdown.
• Revitalizing local businesses: By distributing the funds through local currencies or prepaid cards, governments encourage spending at neighborhood restaurants, supermarkets, traditional markets, and small-business stores.

This is also why many local governments choose vouchers or cards that can be used within the region instead of providing cash. The payments are designed to circulate again within local commercial districts rather than flow out of the area. Concentrating payments before Chuseok can likewise be seen as a strategy to maximize their impact during a period of particularly active holiday spending.

Repeated Support Payments: Could They Become a “Permanent Policy”?

Yeongdong County’s annual 800,000-won example is a notable signal for the future. It suggests that, depending on their fiscal conditions and local economic circumstances, local governments may distribute support several times throughout the year instead of ending it after a single payment.

If this trend continues, cost-of-living support payments could evolve from an emergency measure reserved for disasters or crises into policies such as the following:

• Regular support timed to periods when consumption is needed, such as holidays and off-seasons
• Small-business sales support linked to the expanded use of local currencies
• Tailored supplementary policies designed around the characteristics of each region, including young people, older adults, and rural and fishing communities
• Expanded digital local welfare through mobile vouchers and card-based payments

However, repeated payments do not automatically mean that a policy is sustainable. Since the fiscal capacity of each local government varies, disparities may emerge, with some areas providing 500,000 won while others remain at around 100,000 won.

Welfare or Economic Stimulus? The Key Is “Sustainability”

Cost-of-living support payments lie on the boundary between welfare and economic stimulus. For residents, they provide tangible help with everyday expenses; for local governments, they are also an economic policy intended to increase spending within the region.

The key challenges ahead are not simply the size of the payments, but rather sustainable funding, clear eligibility criteria, and the extent to which the benefits actually remain within local commercial districts. If one-off payments merely reduce the burden residents feel in the short term, their impact may ultimately be limited. On the other hand, if governments expand the places where local currencies can be used, connect the payments to a recovery in small-business sales, and provide carefully targeted support when it is most needed, cost-of-living support payments could become a policy that kindles a small but meaningful spark in the local economy.