A Guide to 2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support: Regional Overview and Application

2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds: Regional Status and Application Guide

The 2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds are not a standardized payment from the central government, but rather a program operated by each local government using its own budget. Therefore, the availability, amount, eligibility, and application methods all vary by region. This page provides comprehensive information on the Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds for each local government, valid as of August 23, 2026.

Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds at a Glance (As of August 23, 2026)

The 2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds vary in terms of payment availability and conditions depending on your residential area. It is crucial to check the status of support funds for your specific region of residence.

Eligibility Criteria

As each local government establishes its own criteria for Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds, the eligibility and requirements vary depending on your residential area. Generally, the following criteria apply:

• Residency Requirement: Residents registered in the respective local government on a specified cut-off date (e.g., June 30, 2026, or July 1, 2026) are eligible.
• Including Foreign Residents: Foreign residents who meet certain conditions, such as permanent residents (F-5) or marriage immigrants (F-6), are often included.
• Age Restrictions: Most programs target all residents or citizens without age restrictions, with payments made per person.
• Low-Income Households: Basic Living Allowance recipients, those in the next-lowest income bracket, single-parent families, low-income disabled individuals, and national merit recipients may receive additional holiday慰勞금 (consolation funds) from local governments in addition to general livelihood support.

Application Period & Method

Most local government livelihood support funds are not automatically deposited; thus, eligible individuals must apply directly to receive them. Application periods and methods differ by region.

1. Application Period

• Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam: 2026년 8월 10일 ~ 9월 11일
• Hampyeong-gun, Jeonnam: 2026년 9월 7일 ~ 10월 8일
• Tongyeong-si, Gyeongnam: 2026년 8월 31일 ~ 10월 30일
• Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk: Online 2026년 8월 17일 ~ 8월 28일, In-person 2026년 8월 31일 ~ 10월 2일
• Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk: 2026년 9월 14일 ~ 10월 23일
• Sokcho-si, Gangwon: 2026년 7월 20일 ~ 9월 11일
• Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk: From 2026년 9월 8일
• Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk: From 2026년 9월 1일

2. How to Apply

• Online Application: Some local governments support online applications through regional dedicated local currency apps (e.g., CHAK).
• In-Person Application: Visit your local Eup, Myeon, or Dong Administrative Welfare Center with your ID to apply.
• Day-of-the-Week System: To reduce congestion during the first week of applications, a day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of birth years may be applied (e.g., Tongyeong-si, Gyeongnam; Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk).

Payment Amounts and Methods

Payment amounts vary from 200,000 won to a maximum of 500,000 won per person. Most payment methods are designed to be used only within the region to stimulate the local economy.

• Local Love Gift Certificates: Paid in the form of local currency such as Uiryeong Love Local Gift Certificates, Rainbow Yeongdong Pay, and Goheung Gift Certificates.
• Prepaid Cards: Hampyeong-gun, Buan-gun, Mungyeong-si, and others issue payments in the form of prepaid cards. Most prepaid cards can only be used within the respective region and have a set expiration date.
• Local Currency App Top-Up: In Sokcho-si's case, payments are made by topping up the Sokcho Love Local Gift Certificate app 'CHAK'.
• Uljin Love Card: Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, provides payments in the form of the Uljin Love Card.

Where to Use & Restrictions

Livelihood support funds aim to boost the local economy, so there are restrictions on where they can be used.

1. Main Usage Locations

• Designated Merchants: Can only be used at designated merchants within the issuing city, county, or district.
• Small Business Stores: Primarily used at small business stores with annual sales of less than 3 billion won. This is to prevent capital outflow to large retail companies.
• Traditional Markets: Can be used at stores within traditional markets to revitalize them.
• Gas Stations: In Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk, they can be used at gas stations regardless of whether their annual sales exceed 3 billion won.

2. Key Restrictions

• Regional Usage Limit: Can only be used within the issuing city, county, or district and cannot be used in other regions.
• Large Retailer Restrictions: Usage is restricted at large supermarkets, department stores, and online platforms.
• Entertainment Venue Restrictions: Cannot be used at entertainment venues.
• No Refund for Remaining Balance: Any remaining balance not used within the expiration period will automatically expire and will not be refunded (e.g., mostly December 31, 2026; Sokcho-si November 30, 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are the 2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds uniformly provided nationwide?

A: No. The 2026 Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds are not a blanket payment from the central government but a program operated by each local government using its own budget. Therefore, the availability, amount, eligibility, and application methods all vary by region.

Q2: How can I check the support fund information for my residential area?

A: The most accurate information can be found on your city, county, or district office website or through announcements at your local resident center. Additionally, you can check support fund information for your residence using the Government24 'Subsidy24' service.

Q3: If I don't apply, will I not automatically receive the support funds?

A: That's correct. Most local government livelihood support funds are not automatically deposited. Even if you are eligible, you must apply online or in person within the designated application period to receive the funds.

Q4: Are there other holiday support policies provided by the government besides the Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds?

A: Yes, the government operates various holiday support policies in addition to the Chuseok Livelihood Support Funds. For 2026, these include discounts on agricultural and fishery products and exemption from highway tolls.

• Agricultural and Fishery Product Discount Support: Supports the cost of purchasing agricultural and fishery products through various methods, such as issuing Agricultural Product Discount Gift Certificates, Fishery Industry Discount Gift Certificates, and on-site refunds for Onnuri Traditional Market Gift Certificates.
• Highway Toll Exemption: Highway tolls across the country were exempted for the 2026 Seollal holiday period (from 00:00 on February 15 to 24:00 on February 18).

For more details, you might also want to check out other Chuseok-related information such as 2026 Chuseok Special Movies or Chuseok Holiday Outings.