With Chuseok approaching, attention is turning to livelihood support measures by local governments. However, the so-called 'Chuseok support funds' are not a program paid uniformly across the country. Depending on each local government's fiscal situation and its own programs, everything from whether payments are made to eligibility, amounts, and application periods differs, so residents must check announcements from their area of residence.

Naju of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City has begun the process of issuing 'livelihood recovery support funds' to stabilize citizens' lives and revitalize the local commercial district. The project got underway in earnest as related funding was secured through the second supplementary budget.

■ 200,000 won per person, about 116,000 recipients

The Naju livelihood recovery support fund is 200,000 won per citizen. Eligible recipients are citizens who have continuously maintained their resident registration address and resided in Naju from July 1, 2026 through their application date. Foreign residents meeting certain requirements, such as permanent residents (F-5) and marriage immigrants (F-6), are also included. The total number of recipients is expected to be about 116,000.

The funds can be received as either a prepaid card or mobile Naju Love Gift Certificates. The mobile certificates are loaded through the local gift certificate app CHAK.

■ Online applications September 14-30, in-person until October 16

Online applications run from September 14 to September 30, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., via the CHAK app or the Naju city website. Online applications are possible on weekends and holidays, but applications received during those periods will be processed for payment on the next weekday.

The in-person application period is longer than online. Applications can be filed from September 14 to October 16 at the administrative welfare center with jurisdiction over one's resident registration address, by visiting on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■ Five-day rotation based on birth year during the first week

To prevent a surge of applicants, a five-day rotation based on the last digit of the birth year will apply during the first week.

• September 14 (Monday): last digits 1 and 6
• September 15 (Tuesday): last digits 2 and 7
• September 16 (Wednesday): last digits 3 and 8
• September 17 (Thursday): last digits 4 and 9
• September 18 (Friday): last digits 5 and 0

From September 21, anyone can apply regardless of birth year.

■ 'Visiting application' available for citizens with limited mobility

A 'visiting application' service is also available for citizens with limited mobility, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. If a visit request is made to the administrative welfare center in one's neighborhood, a staff member will visit in person to verify personal details and proceed with the payment process. However, use may be restricted in cases such as when another household member resides at home, so checking in advance is necessary.

■ ID, proxy authorization, and other required documents must be confirmed

Adults applying in person must prepare an ID. Minors who are the head of household or a co-resident on the resident registration need a youth ID or student ID, and foreigners must prepare relevant identification documents such as a permanent resident card, domestic residence report certificate, or passport depending on their status of residence.

Proxy applications are allowed within a certain range, including legal representatives, members of the same registered household, spouses, direct ascendants and descendants, and siblings. Additional documents such as a power of attorney or family relationship certificate may be required depending on the relationship between the recipient and the proxy.

■ Usable at merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less... until November 30, 2026

After receiving the funds, where they can be used must also be confirmed. Prepaid cards can in principle be used at credit card merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, and mobile Naju Love Gift Certificates can be used at Naju Love Gift Certificate merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. Some facilities, such as Hanaro Marts and public-type local food direct sales stores in township areas, are exceptionally included as places of use.

Above all, it is important not to miss the expiration date. The Naju livelihood recovery support funds must be used by November 30, 2026, and any balance not used within the period will be recovered.

■ Conditions vary by local government... check announcements for your address

Various information about support funds is likely to circulate around Chuseok, but not all local governments pay the same amounts. Even for programs of a similar livelihood-support nature, conditions such as address, period of residence, age, income, or status of residence may differ, so the latest announcement from the relevant local government should be checked before applying.

Meanwhile, the administrative district designation of Naju is currently listed as 'Naju, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City' even on the official municipal library website.

[※ Local government support funds may differ by region in terms of payment availability, eligibility, support amounts, application periods, and usage conditions. Before actually applying, be sure to check the official announcements of the local government with jurisdiction over your registered address and the guidance of administrative welfare centers. Support schedules and detailed criteria may change depending on administrative procedures. This article was written with AI assistance.]