Applications for Korea's high-oil support fund closed on July 3. The relevant task now is checking an existing balance and spending it before the deadline. Both payment rounds expire on August 31, 2026, and unused value is automatically forfeited after that date.
The general rule is in-person use at eligible small businesses within the recipient's registered municipality. Gas stations and LPG stations are included regardless of annual sales, while online shopping, standard in-app delivery payments, gambling, entertainment, and cash-equivalent businesses are excluded.
✨ Key Takeaways
Applications are closed. Existing balances must be used by August 31 at eligible merchants in the registered area, with the card or local-currency app used to verify balance and merchant status.
| Item | Figure or date | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| New applications | Closed July 3 | This is not a new-application guide |
| Use deadline | August 31 | Unused balances expire automatically |
| General merchants | Under KRW 3B sales | Eligible local small businesses |
| Gas and LPG | No sales cap | Specifically included by the government |
First Check: Applications Are Closed
The second application period ran from May 18 through 6:00 p.m. on July 3. The ordinary appeal period has also ended, so a current guide should not present the program as open for new applications.
Recipients should use the card issuer's support-fund page, the local-currency app, or the prepaid-card channel to check the remaining balance and transaction history. Original application messages can help identify the payment method.
Source: MOIS high-oil support fund guide
Where Can the Balance Be Used?
The standard area is the special city, metropolitan city, or city/county tied to the recipient's registered address. For credit, debit, and prepaid cards, the usual merchant is an eligible small business with annual sales below KRW 3 billion.
Gas stations and LPG stations are included regardless of sales. Certain rural Hanaro Mart locations, designated local-food stores, consumer cooperatives, and Beautiful Store locations may also qualify under the program rules.
Merchant classification can vary by card issuer. A card-app merchant search, local-currency app, store sticker, or supported map listing should be checked before payment.
Source: MOIS second-payment notice
Which Payments Are Excluded?
Online shopping malls, ordinary online delivery-app payments, gambling and entertainment categories, and cash-equivalent transactions are excluded. A card-terminal payment made in person may be classified differently, so the issuer should confirm uncertain cases.
AliExpress is an online marketplace and is not an eligible place to spend this Korean support balance. The affiliate cards shown below feature unrelated regular online products and cannot be paid for with the fund.
Taxes, utilities, insurance premiums, and transactions designed to convert value into cash should not be assumed eligible. Use the program hotline for a case that is not clearly listed.
Source: Samsung Card deadline and merchant rules
A Practical Order for Using the Balance
First identify whether the money was loaded to a credit/debit card, prepaid card, or local-currency account. Second, confirm the balance and eligible area. Third, check frequently used local grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and gas stations before visiting.
After payment, verify in the app or notification that the support balance was deducted. Avoid leaving the full amount until August 31, when merchant questions and support-line traffic may be heavier.
What If a Payment Is Rejected?
A payment can fail because the store is outside the registered area, the issuer's merchant code is excluded, or the underlying card has an unrelated problem. Distinguish support-program eligibility from card limits, suspension, and authentication issues.
The dedicated support line is 1670-2626, and Korea's general government help line is 110. The key question in August is how to use an already-issued balance, not how to start a new application.
Source: MOIS high-oil support fund guide
Three Paths From Here
| Path | Confirmation |
|---|---|
| Early use | Check the balance and spread necessary local spending through mid-August |
| Deadline week | Recheck remaining value and eligible merchants before the final days |
| Expiry risk | Attempt only online, out-of-area, or excluded payments until the deadline passes |
What to Check After the Event
| Indicator | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Payment method | Which card, prepaid account, or local-currency app holds the value |
| Eligible area | Whether the merchant is inside the registered municipality |
| Merchant code | Whether issuer classification meets program rules |
| Payment channel | Whether the transaction is an eligible in-person payment |
| Deduction record | Whether the app or alert confirms use of the support balance |
Related Reading
FAQ
Can I still submit a new application?
The ordinary application period ended on July 3, 2026. August is for using balances already issued.
Will an unused balance carry into September?
No. Official card guidance says unused value automatically expires after August 31.
Can every gas station accept it?
Gas and LPG stations are included regardless of sales, but the geographic rule and issuer merchant classification still apply.
Can I use it on AliExpress or a delivery app?
No. Online shopping and standard online delivery-app payments are excluded. The AliExpress cards here are not eligible fund purchases.
Public Sources
- MOIS high-oil support fund guide
- MOIS second-payment notice
- Samsung Card deadline and merchant rules
Eligibility and payment acceptance can vary by payment method and merchant classification. Confirm the final status with the issuer, local-currency app, or MOIS guidance.
