Ahead of Chuseok, some local governments are moving to provide livelihood support grants to ease residents' living cost burdens and revitalize local consumption. The scale of support varies by region, and in some areas, residents can receive up to 500,000 won per person.

These livelihood support grants are not a policy of lump-sum payments to all citizens by the central government, but rather programs implemented by each local government based on its own budget and ordinances. Therefore, eligibility, amounts, payment methods, and application schedules may differ depending on one's place of residence. As of late August 2026, some local governments have finalized payment amounts and application schedules, while others are still reviewing support plans pending budget appropriations or deliberation by local councils. Rather than assuming that payment is confirmed simply because discussions are underway, residents need to check the final announcements from their respective local governments.

■ Hampyeong County to Pay 500,000 Won per Resident in Livelihood Recovery Grants

Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province has officially announced its plan to provide livelihood recovery grants of 500,000 won per resident. The county stated that the grants aim to stabilize the livelihoods of residents struggling amid a prolonged economic downturn, and to promote local consumption and revitalize local commercial districts through the use of local currency.

The payment eligibility date is July 1, 2026. The grants target those who have maintained resident registration or a place of stay in Hampyeong County continuously from the eligibility date until the application date. Eligible recipients include residents registered in Hampyeong County under the Resident Registration Law, as well as marriage immigrants residing in the county holding F-6 status and those who have obtained F-5 permanent residency.

The support amount is 500,000 won per person, paid in the form of a prepaid card. The application period runs from September 7 to October 8. Applications can be filed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the eup or myeon office with jurisdiction over the applicant's address or place of stay as of the eligibility date. The prepaid cards can be used at Hampyeong Love Gift Certificate affiliate stores and elsewhere, with an expiration date of December 31, 2026.

■ No Separate Grants at Metropolitan Level in Seoul and Gyeonggi — Check City, County, and District Announcements

Not all regions offer the same level of support. Some areas, such as Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, do not provide separate Chuseok livelihood support grants to all residents of the metropolitan government. However, even within the same metropolitan area, individual cities, counties, and districts may implement their own programs, so residents should separately check announcements from their local governments.

■ Resident Registration Cutoff Date Is Key — Moving In or Out Can Affect Eligibility

The resident registration cutoff date is also important in the application process. Local governments typically determine eligibility based on whether an applicant had an address in the area as of a specific date. Those who moved in after the cutoff date may be excluded from support even if they reside in the area at the time of application. Conversely, those who were residents on the cutoff date but moved out afterward may or may not receive payment depending on each local government's detailed criteria.

■ Application Methods and Payment Forms Also Vary by Region

Application methods differ by region as well. Some local governments support online applications through their websites, while others only accept in-person applications at eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare centers. Some areas allow family members or household members to apply on behalf of applicants who have difficulty applying in person, in which case documents such as a power of attorney, identification, and family relationship verification may be required, so advance preparation is advisable.

Payment forms are not limited to cash. Grants are often provided in forms usable within the region, such as local love gift certificates, local currency, or prepaid cards. Since these grants aim to revitalize the local economy, their use may be restricted. They may not be usable at large supermarkets, department stores, or certain online malls, and in some cases remaining balances become unusable after the designated expiration date, so caution is needed.

■ Don't Miss the Application Period — Weekday Systems and Separate Online and In-Person Schedules May Apply

Even for those eligible, if a program requires a separate application process, it is important not to miss the application period. Depending on the local government, a weekday system based on birth year may be applied during the first week of applications, or online and in-person application schedules may be operated separately.

To check whether livelihood support grants will be provided ahead of Chuseok 2026, the most accurate approach is to first review the official website or announcements of one's local government. Along with whether payments will be made, residents should also check the resident registration cutoff date, application period, payment amount, application locations, eligible uses, and expiration dates. In particular, support programs still in the planning stage may see changes to payment amounts and eligibility during budget deliberation or ordinance enactment, or may not be implemented at all. Before actually applying, residents must rely on the latest official announcements from their local governments.

[※ This article was written for informational purposes based on announcements and institutional information regarding livelihood support grants released by local governments. Eligibility, application periods, payment amounts, payment methods, and eligible uses may vary or change by local government, so be sure to check the latest official announcements for your area of residence before applying. This article was written with AI assistance.]