Following its April announcement, the South Korean government started distributing cash aid on April 26 to basic livelihood security recipients and other vulnerable groups to offset rising oil prices from the Middle East conflict. Aid amounts are 550,000 won ($372) for basic livelihood recipients and 450,000 won per person for single-parent households and those just above the welfare threshold, with an extra 50,000 won for recipients outside Seoul or in declining population areas.
Applications opened Monday and run through May 8. Recipients can choose credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or local currency vouchers, with funds expiring August 31 and usable only at small businesses (annual sales ≤3 billion won) or those accepting local vouchers.
This initial phase draws from the 26.2 trillion-won supplementary budget approved earlier this month. A broader rollout targeting the bottom 70% of income earners—around 32.5 million people—is planned, with criteria to be announced soon.
