Table of Contents
- Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Living Recovery Consumption Coupon
- How to Apply for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon and Key Dates
- Choosing the Payment Method That Suits You: Card Points vs Local Love Gift Certificates
- Complete Guide to the 2025 Living Support Fund of 250,000 Won: Amount and Usage Locations
- Key Summary and Precautions You Shouldn't Miss
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Living Recovery Consumption Coupon
In 2025, the Korean government plans to implement the 'Living Recovery Consumption Coupon' program as a key policy to recover the stagnant domestic economy and support the livelihoods of the public.
This program is designed to go beyond simple cash support, aiming to overcome economic contraction and promote consumption, with benefits being directly delivered to local small businesses in a carefully crafted economic revitalization initiative.
Such measures are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
The government expects this policy to increase growth by up to 0.32%p.
Therefore, it is crucial for all citizens to thoroughly understand the application method and schedule for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon to avoid missing out on benefits applicable to them.
How to Apply for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon and Key Dates
The Living Recovery Consumption Coupon is not provided automatically; therefore, you must apply within the specified period. It is very important to check the entire schedule and method beforehand to ensure a smooth application process.
First, from July 14, you can receive prior notification about your support amount through the National Secretary service (Naver app, KakaoTalk, Toss, etc.). This procedure will enable you to apply for the consumption coupon more effectively.
From July 21 (Monday) to September 12 (Friday), the first application for payment will be carried out. Following that, the second application for those in the lower 90% income bracket will be conducted from September 22 (Monday) to October 31 (Friday). Both payments must be used by November 30, 2025, and any unused amounts will be reclaimed by the national treasury.
In the initial application phase, to prevent system overload, a day-of-week system will apply during the first week (July 21-25) based on the last digit of the birth year. Those born on Monday will use numbers ending in 1 and 6, Tuesday 2 and 7, Wednesday 3 and 8, Thursday 4 and 9, and Friday 5 and 0. Please note that on weekends, anyone can apply online.
Those who wish to apply can use either online or offline methods. The online method allows you to apply anytime via the websites or mobile apps of each card company or the local love gift certificate app.
The offline method involves visiting a bank branch partnered with the card company or the resident center of your jurisdiction.
Choosing the Payment Method That Suits You: Card Points vs Local Love Gift Certificates
When applying for the 2025 Living Support Fund, you can choose from three payment options. These options include credit card and debit card points, local love gift certificates, and prepaid cards.
Receiving support funds through credit or debit card points is the most convenient method. By choosing your preferred card from nine card companies such as Shinhan, KB Kookmin, and Samsung, your points will be credited to your existing card the day after you apply. Then, during payment, these points will be used preferentially, allowing easy access without needing to issue a separate card.
Local love gift certificates are very effective as a measure to promote consumption by accepting support funds via cards or mobile devices. This method is familiar to residents who have previously used local currency, and some local governments even temporarily increase the number of affiliated stores during the consumption coupon usage period. This contributes to the revitalization of the local economy.
Prepaid cards provide a physical card with pre-loaded support funds, which requires a visit to the resident center to apply. This method is an excellent choice for those who find it difficult to use smartphones or want to keep personal finance and support fund management strictly separate.
Complete Guide to the 2025 Living Support Fund of 250,000 Won: Amount and Usage Locations
The Living Recovery Consumption Coupon to be implemented is provided in a mixed form of universal and selective support. This hybrid approach is expected to deliver more benefits to consumers.
Each citizen will be provided with 150,000 won. In particular, basic living recipients will receive 250,000 won, with an additional 150,000 won for those in the next lower class. This strengthens support for vulnerable groups.
In addition, an extra 100,000 won will be paid to the remaining 90% of citizens excluding the top 10% of income.
Therefore, general citizens in the lower 90% income bracket living in the metropolitan area will receive a total of 250,000 won, which is the sum of the 150,000 won received in the first payment and the 100,000 won in the second payment.
The purpose of the support funds is strictly to support local small businesses, and its scope is clearly limited. It can only be used within the special city or metropolitan city or basic local government (city, county) of the registered residence, and can only be used at affiliated stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. This support can be utilized at various local stores such as traditional markets, neighborhood marts, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, and academies.
You cannot use the payment method at large discount stores (such as E-Mart, Lotte Mart), department stores, online shopping malls, home shopping, or large electronics stores. In the case of franchises, while you cannot use it at directly managed stores of the headquarters like Starbucks, payment is allowed in individually operated franchises like Daiso, Olive Young, and Paris Baguette.
For delivery apps, direct payment through the app is not supported, but it is possible to use the 'meet to pay' feature to make direct card payments to the delivery person. Understanding this payment method is necessary.
Key Summary and Precautions You Shouldn't Miss
The most crucial factor in applying for and using the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon is the usage duration.
The amounts provided in the first and second payments must be used by midnight on November 30, 2025, and any remaining amounts after this deadline will expire and be automatically reclaimed by the national treasury.
This measure reflects a policy intention to maximize the economic stimulation effect by concentrating consumption in a short period, emphasizing the importance of adhering to deadlines.
Be cautious of smishing and phishing scams impersonating government support funds. It is important to remember that official institutions such as the government, local governments, and card companies will never include internet address (URL) links in text messages for application guidance.
For instance, if you receive a text message like '[Web Issuer] Living Recovery Support Fund Application Guide' that contains a link, it is advisable to delete it immediately. If you receive a suspicious message, it is recommended to report it to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) at 118.
Finding accurate and reliable information through policy briefings, the Ministry of Interior and Safety, and the official websites of each card company and local government is crucial. This can help prevent fraud and enable safe application for government support funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How do I apply for the 2025 Living Recovery Consumption Coupon?
You can apply online (via card company website/app, local love gift certificate app) and offline (at banks, resident centers).
The Living Recovery Consumption Coupon is not issued automatically, so it must be applied for within the specified period. There are two application methods: online and offline. You can easily apply online via the card company's website or mobile app and the local love gift certificates app. For offline, you can apply by visiting a card company partnering bank branch or the resident center in your jurisdiction. Starting from July 14, you can efficiently receive pre-notification through the National Secretary service.
Q. When can I apply for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon, and is there a day-of-the-week system based on the period?
The first application period is from July 21 to September 12, the second is from September 22 to October 31, and a day-of-the-week application system applies in the first week.
The first application for payment will begin on Monday, July 21, 2025, and continue until Friday, September 12. The second application for those in the lower 90% income category will take place from September 22 to October 31. Notably, during the first week of the first application starting from July 21 to 25, a day-of-the-week system will be implemented to prevent system overload. Those born on Monday will have numbers ending in 1 and 6, Tuesday 2 and 7, Wednesday 3 and 8, Thursday 4 and 9, and Friday 5 and 0. Applications can be made freely on the weekends.
Q. What payment options are available for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon?
You can select from card company points, local love gift certificates, or prepaid cards.
The 2025 Living Recovery Consumption Coupon offers three payment options. The first option is to receive support funds via points from credit or debit cards selected from nine card companies including Shinhan, KB Kookmin, and Samsung. The second option is local love gift certificates, allowing you to receive funds in mobile or card form and use them at local affiliated stores, thus effectively contributing to local economic vitality. The third option is a prepaid card, which requires visiting a resident center to receive the actual charged card, making it suitable for individuals who find using smartphones cumbersome.
Q. What is the amount and target recipients of the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon?
150,000 won for all citizens, 250,000 won for basic living beneficiaries, and an additional 150,000 won for those in the next lower class.
The Living Recovery Consumption Coupon combines universal and selective support in a hybrid format. Each citizen will receive 150,000 won, and basic living beneficiaries will receive 250,000 won, while those in the next lower class will receive an additional 150,000 won. Furthermore, an additional 100,000 won will be paid to the remaining 90% of citizens below the income threshold, meaning general citizens in the metropolitan area will receive a total of 250,000 won when combining the first payment of 150,000 won and the second payment of 100,000 won.
Q. Where can the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon be used?
It can be used at small business affiliates with annual sales under 3 billion won and at traditional markets and neighborhood stores within your registered address.
The support funds can only be used at affiliated stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, located in the metropolitan area and basic local government corresponding to your registered address. They cannot be used in large discount stores, department stores, online shopping malls, or large electronic stores, and there are restrictions on using them at some franchise owned outlets. You can utilize the funds at various local stores like traditional markets, neighborhood marts, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, and academies. Although direct payment via delivery apps is not supported, you can make the payment through the 'meet to pay' function.
Q. What is the usage duration for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon?
Both the first and second payments must be used by midnight on November 30, 2025.
The Living Recovery Consumption Coupon requires both the first and second payments to be used by midnight on November 30, 2025, and any amounts not used by then will automatically be reclaimed by the national treasury. This time limit is set to maximize the economic stimulation effect by concentrating consumption over a short period. Therefore, adhering closely to the usage duration is crucial.
Q. What types of scams should I watch for when applying for the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon, and what can prevent them?
Government agencies do not include URL links in text messages; delete and report any smishing messages you receive.
Be vigilant against smishing and phishing scams impersonating government support funds related to the Living Recovery Consumption Coupon. Official agencies such as the government, local governments, and card companies will never include links to websites (URLs) in text messages for application guidance. If you receive a message containing links like '[Web Issuer] Living Recovery Support Fund Application Guide,' you should delete it immediately. If you receive a suspicious message, it’s advisable to report it to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) at 118. Confirming accurate information through policy briefings, the Ministry of Interior and Safety, and the official websites of each card company and local government is important to ensure safety and avoid scams.
