Victims of voice phishing, messenger phishing, and smishing can apply from November 23, 2026, for the 'Dasi, Ilsang-euro' (Back to Everyday Life) program, which provides up to KRW 2 million in living expense assistance and professional psychological counseling. Applicants must have experienced financial fraud within the past three years, have household income at or below 150% of the 2026 median household income, and pass screening that includes verification of their case by the Korean National Police Agency and an assessment of their need for psychological counseling. Living expense assistance cannot exceed the actual amount of money lost and is paid in two installments.
This program is separate from financial fraud reimbursement schemes that recover money lost to scams. It is a pilot initiative designed to help victims maintain their livelihoods and recover psychologically after financial fraud. Applying does not guarantee that every victim will receive assistance.
When Can Victims Apply for the Voice Phishing Support Program?
The application period runs from November 23, 2026, through April 23, 2027. The program itself operates from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027, with approximately 200 places available.
The program is available nationwide. Applications are handled through Good Neighbors, the organization operating the program's administrative office.
Program name: Dasi, Ilsang-euro (Back to Everyday Life)
Eligible applicants: Victims of voice phishing, messenger phishing, and smishing
Number of places: Approximately 200
Application opening date: November 23, 2026
Application deadline: April 23, 2027
Program operating period: November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027
However, applications may close before the announced deadline if the available budget is exhausted. Therefore, even if the application period has not officially ended, it is advisable to check whether applications are still being accepted.
What Is the 150% Median Household Income Threshold?
Applicants must have household income at or below 150% of the 2026 median household income in South Korea. The applicable monthly income threshold varies according to household size, so applicants should check the figure for their household.
2026 monthly income thresholds at 150% of the median household income:
| Household Size | Monthly Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 person | KRW 3,846,357 |
| 2 people | KRW 6,298,938 |
| 3 people | KRW 8,038,554 |
| 4 people | KRW 9,742,107 |
For example, a one-person household must have monthly income of KRW 3,846,357 or less. For a four-person household, the threshold is KRW 9,742,107 per month.
Income eligibility must be demonstrated by submitting supporting documents based on the victim's own circumstances. Applicants should not assume that eligibility is determined solely by the amount deposited into their bank account. Instead, they must prepare documents accepted by the program operator to verify their income against the median household income threshold.
Meeting the income requirement alone is not sufficient. Applicants must also satisfy all the other eligibility conditions.
Who Can Apply for the KRW 2 Million in Living Expense Assistance?
The program is intended for people who experienced telecommunications-based financial fraud within the past three years and are assessed as needing psychological counseling.
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
1. They must be victims of voice phishing, messenger phishing, or smishing.
2. The date of the incident must fall within 2024–2026.
3. The Korean National Police Agency must be able to verify that the investigation is ongoing or has been concluded.
4. Their household income must be at or below 150% of the 2026 median household income.
5. They must be experiencing psychological difficulties resulting from financial fraud and be assessed as needing psychological counseling support.
An important point is that simply reporting a fraud incident does not automatically qualify someone for assistance.
The program's administrative office will verify case information with the Korean National Police Agency and review the submitted documents before selecting recipients. The applicant's need for psychological counseling will also be considered during the screening process.
Applicants should therefore prepare documentation covering the date of the incident, police reporting or investigation status, income eligibility, and their need for psychological counseling.
Is the KRW 2 Million Living Expense Payment Made in One Lump Sum?
The program does not pay the full KRW 2 million in one installment. Instead, eligible recipients can receive up to KRW 1 million in each of two installments. The actual total assistance cannot exceed the amount lost in the fraud incident.
First installment
Initial living expense support.
Paid after the recipient has been connected with a psychological counseling provider.
Psychological counseling
The recipient proceeds with professional psychological counseling.
Second installment
Additional living expense support.
Paid after completion of six psychological counseling sessions.
Total living expense assistance
The actual amount is determined within the limit of the financial loss suffered by the victim.
For example, someone who lost KRW 800,000 cannot receive KRW 2 million in living expense assistance. The amount awarded must remain within the actual loss amount.
The second installment is also conditional on completing six psychological counseling sessions. If the recipient stops counseling partway through, the second living expense payment and subsequent support may be discontinued. Applicants should understand these payment conditions in advance.
Is Psychological Counseling Available as Separate Support?
In addition to living expense assistance, the program provides professional psychological counseling. General counseling is arranged through specialized institutions and is available for up to six sessions per person, with a maximum value of KRW 900,000.
If intensive trauma treatment is considered necessary, the program can connect the recipient with a hospital capable of providing treatment and offer integrated support covering psychological counseling and treatment expenses.
General psychological counseling: Up to six sessions, worth a maximum of KRW 900,000
Intensive treatment: Hospital referral when necessary
Intensive treatment support limit: Up to KRW 2 million per person
The intensive treatment support limit includes the cost of the six general psychological counseling sessions.
The KRW 2 million available for intensive treatment is a separate support category from the KRW 2 million in living expense assistance. This does not mean that recipients automatically receive KRW 4 million in living expense payments.
Psychological counseling is arranged through affiliated institutions according to each victim's circumstances. Specific appointment schedules may vary depending on the administrative office and counseling provider.
Seven Documents to Prepare Before Applying
Applicants must prepare documents based on the victim's own information. Submitting only the application form is not enough. Police incident verification documents, income evidence, and the applicant's own bank account information are also required.
| Required Document | Preparation Details |
|---|---|
| Application form | Designated Form 1 |
| Personal information consent form | Designated Form 2 |
| PHQ-9 | Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screening tool, Designated Form 3 |
| Police Incident and Accident Confirmation Certificate | Issued by a police station, based on the victim's information |
| Identity verification document | Exclude the final seven digits of the Korean resident registration number |
| Median household income verification documents | Based on the victim's own income and circumstances |
| Bank account copy | Account held in the victim's own name |
The PHQ-9 is a screening tool used to assess depressive symptoms. It is used as reference material during the administrative office's assessment, so applicants must complete and submit it with their application.
The Police Incident and Accident Confirmation Certificate must be issued using the victim's information. The final seven digits of the Korean resident registration number must not be included. The same requirement applies to identity verification documents.
The bank account must be held in the victim's own name. An account designated as a seizure-protected account (a restricted account intended to protect certain funds from seizure under Korean law) cannot be used to receive the support payment. Applicants must provide another eligible account in their own name.
The application form, personal information consent form, and PHQ-9 form can be downloaded from the program application announcement on the operating organization's website.
Should You Apply by Email or Fax?
Starting November 23, 2026, applicants can submit their documents to the Good Neighbors administrative office by email or fax. In-person and postal applications are not accepted.
Application contact details
Email:
ministry@gnk.or.kr
Fax:
02-6280-1585
Telephone inquiries:
02-6424-1585
Consultation hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Lunch break: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
After receiving an application, the administrative office verifies the incident information with the Korean National Police Agency and reviews the submitted documents. Applicants who are selected will be notified individually by text message.
The application and payment process follows these steps:
1. Prepare the application form and supporting documents.
2. Submit the application by email or fax.
3. Undergo police case verification and document screening.
4. Receive an individual notification of the selection result.
5. Be connected with a psychological counseling provider and receive the first living expense payment.
6. Complete six psychological counseling sessions and receive the second living expense payment.
Submitting an application does not result in immediate payment. The screening process and connection with a counseling provider must be completed first.
What Restrictions Should Applicants Know Before Applying?
This is a pilot program with approximately 200 places available. Applications may close before April 23, 2027, if the budget is exhausted.
Applicants should also be aware of the following restrictions:
Anyone who has already received assistance under the program cannot apply again in a subsequent round.
Seizure-protected bank accounts cannot be used to receive payments.
Submitted documents will not be returned.
Documents belonging to unsuccessful applicants will be destroyed immediately after the selection results are announced.
If psychological counseling is discontinued before completion, the second living expense payment and subsequent support may also be discontinued.
If someone is selected through false statements or fraudulent methods, repayment of the assistance may be required.
The procedure for recovering money lost to financial fraud must be distinguished from this living expense support program. In particular, victims of financial fraud involving virtual assets should also look into separate victim assistance and dispute resolution procedures offered by the relevant cryptocurrency exchange. Related information can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Phishing Victim Support
Q. Can someone who was defrauded in 2023 apply?
No. This program covers victims whose incidents occurred within the past three years, specifically between 2024 and 2026.
Q. Can I apply if the amount I lost was less than KRW 2 million?
Yes. However, living expense assistance cannot exceed the actual amount lost. If the victim lost KRW 1 million, the maximum living expense assistance is also KRW 1 million.
Q. I reported the incident to the police, but the investigation has not finished. Can I still apply?
Yes. Cases that are still under investigation are also eligible. However, the Korean National Police Agency must be able to verify the incident.
Q. Are victims of messenger phishing and smishing also eligible?
Yes. The program operator identifies messenger phishing and smishing, as well as voice phishing, as eligible forms of telecommunications-based financial fraud.
Q. Can I receive both KRW 2 million in living expense assistance and KRW 2 million in psychological treatment support?
These are separate support categories. However, each has its own assessment and eligibility requirements. Intensive treatment support is capped at KRW 2 million and includes the cost of six general psychological counseling sessions. Neither category is automatically awarded to every applicant.
Q. Will I definitely receive financial assistance if I apply?
No. Applicants are screened based on income, the date of the fraud incident, verification by the Korean National Police Agency, the need for psychological counseling, and the required supporting documents. Only applicants who satisfy the assessment requirements are selected.
If you have been a victim of voice phishing, do not limit your efforts to checking the procedures for recovering lost money. Also consider whether you qualify for living expense assistance and psychological counseling. In particular, preparing the Police Incident and Accident Confirmation Certificate, income verification documents, and a bank account in your own name before applications open on November 23 can make the application process easier.
