Jeonse fraud is a serious crime that causes tenants to lose their valuable deposits. In 2026, the government is operating a program to support deposit refunds for these victims. This program involves the state directly supporting deposits that could not be recovered through existing loans or debt collection, serving as a policy to help stabilize victims' livelihoods.
Basic eligibility requirements are as follows. First, the jeonse contract must be identified as fraudulent or recognized as such in legal proceedings. Second, the tenant must not have recovered all or part of the deposit. Third, the registered residential address must be the property in question.
Income restrictions also apply. Households with average family income below a certain multiple of the 2026 standard (usually within 100-150%) are eligible. The exact income threshold varies by region and family composition, so you must verify with your local district office or community center before applying.
Exclusions include the following cases: deposits already recovered, ongoing legal disputes, and receiving duplicate support.
The 2026 support amount covers a certain percentage of losses (typically 70-90%). However, the maximum support is usually set within 30 million to 50 million won. The exact support amount is determined after comprehensive review of damage scale, previously recovered amounts, and other compensations.
Support calculation method is as follows. The loss amount is calculated by subtracting the recovered amount from the total deposit paid by the tenant, and the support ratio (70-90%) is applied to this amount. For example, if only 5 million won out of a 30 million won deposit was recovered, 20 million won in losses would be multiplied by 80% to provide 20 million won in support.
Application locations are primarily the Urban Regeneration or Housing Division at your local district office. Some areas also accept applications at community centers, so please verify directly. Online applications may be available through local e-call centers or the government subsidy integrated portal.
Required documents are as follows:
Application procedure follows the sequence of application → submission → review → approval → payment. First, prepare all required documents and visit your local district office or apply online. After submission, the assigned civil servant will review your documents, and additional documents may be requested during this process.
The review period typically takes about 2-3 months. However, it may take longer if documents are incomplete or additional investigation is needed. You can check progress by calling your district office during review, and some areas allow you to track progress through a mobile app.
Payment after approval is made via bank transfer to your designated account, with an additional 1-2 weeks required for processing. Payment notifications are sent via text message or email.
Important precautions include the following. First, support funds may be subject to income tax or other taxes, so consult with a tax professional. Second, if you have already received other compensation, duplicate support is not available. Third, there is an application deadline (usually within 5 years of case detection), so do not miss it.
Practical tips include the following recommendations. When preparing documents, have both originals and copies ready. Gather materials that clearly document the deposit transfer path, such as bank transaction records, bank statement copies, and message records. If possible, seek legal consultation to understand the damage scale and compensation amount in advance. Legal consultation through the free legal aid system is available.
Additional support includes living expense support for jeonse fraud victims, psychological counseling support, and legal support. You can apply for these additional supports as well, so please contact your district office.
Free counseling services include the Korean Legal Aid Corporation, regional legal counseling centers, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport hotline (1544-7755), and the National Police Agency's citizen reporting center. If you suspect victimization, report to police immediately and consult with your local district office and legal counsel simultaneously.
This article provides information analyzed and organized by AI from various sources. Please verify more accurate details with relevant agencies or professionals.
