Pyeongtaek Expands Support Program for COVID-19-Affected Freelancers

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek announced on the 25th that it has expanded the scope of support for low-income special-type workers (hereinafter "special workers") and freelancers whose income has sharply declined.

Following the Ministry of Employment and Labor's guidelines, the city initially provided support limited to freelancers in the education, leisure, and transportation sectors—industries where face-to-face services have become difficult due to COVID-19.

The city is now expanding the support target to include freelancers in other sectors whose income has decreased, such as door-to-door sales representatives, automobile dealers, water purifier inspectors, caregivers, and music therapists, with the goal of minimizing gaps in support coverage.

To be eligible, applicants must have continuously resided in Gyeonggi Province since February 23 and be Pyeongtaek residents at the time of application with income at or below 100% of the median household income standard.

The median household income standard refers to data announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, indicating the income level of households exactly at the midpoint based on domestic household incomes. For four-member households, local subscribers must have health insurance premiums of 160,865 won or less.

The support amount is as follows: if labor was not provided, 25,000 won per day for up to 40 days (two months); if labor was provided but income decreased, up to 500,000 won monthly for two months in cash depending on the income decrease rate.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor guidelines, recipients of Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek emergency basic income should receive a maximum of 800,000 won after deducting 200,000 won. However, the city has allocated separate city funds to provide up to 1,000,000 won without the deduction.

However, those receiving basic livelihood benefits, emergency living expenses from the Ministry of Health and Welfare or Gyeonggi Province, small business living expenses, furlough allowances, unemployment benefits, or similar assistance cannot receive duplicate support.

The application period is until May 15 for special workers and freelancers in the education, leisure, and transportation sectors, and from May 1 to May 15 for freelancers in other sectors. Applications can be submitted through the city website (http://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr), Document24, mail (registered), or in-person at the applicant's district/township/neighborhood office. In-person applications will be conducted on an alternating schedule based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year.

For more details and application forms, check the city website or contact the call center (031-8024-4919).

Meanwhile, "freelancer" refers to individuals who are not subject to the Labor Standards Act, Employment Insurance Act, or Occupational Safety and Health Act, regardless of contract form, and are sole proprietors subject to income tax withholding who provide personal services in their profession without employees.

"Special-type workers" include insurance solicitors, construction equipment operators (27 types), learning material instructors, golf course caddies, loan solicitors, credit card solicitors, proxy drivers, courier service drivers, and quick delivery service drivers.