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The primary targets for this refund policy are users who topped up and fully utilized the 30-day Climate Card pass between April and June. This is a broad benefit that includes not only Seoul residents but also residents of Gimpo, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, and Hanam, where the Climate Card service is integrated. There are no restrictions on card type; users of prepaid physical cards, mobile cards, and even postpaid cards are eligible to apply. Notably, citizens using various types of passes—including those for youth, teenagers, large families, and low-income households—are all equally entitled to a refund of 30,000 won per month. However, those who requested a refund themselves before the expiration date or used short-term passes are excluded, so it is a priority to check your usage history accurately.

While the refund calculation method is straightforward, postpaid card users need to be careful. While general monthly pass users receive a fixed 30,000 won refund, the actual refund amount for postpaid cards may vary depending on whether the user met the base usage threshold for their specific pass type. Users who met the threshold will receive the full amount, but those who did not may see their refund adjusted in proportion to their actual usage. Furthermore, since it is not an automatic payment system, you must visit the T-money Card & Pay website, register your information, and manually click the application button to initiate the refund process. If you are not registered on the website, you risk losing your right to the benefit entirely, so it is wise to check your membership and card registration status immediately.

The application period runs from June 10 to August 31. While this is a generous three-month window, the process is divided into three phases for efficiency. The first round of applications covers April usage and runs from June 10 to June 20; the second round covers April–May usage from June 21 to July 20; and the final third round covers April–June usage from July 21 to August 31. Since the application targets are divided by period, you must verify which segment you fall into and submit your application within that timeframe. Refunds will not be paid immediately upon application; after a verification process to confirm normal usage, payments will be made sequentially to your personal bank account between late June and September.

Consideration has also been made for seniors aged 65 and older who may be less familiar with digital devices. The decision to allow mail-in applications throughout August to ensure no one is left behind due to the digital divide has been positively received. By downloading the application form from the website and sending it with the required documents to the T-money customer center, even those uncomfortable with digital environments can receive their benefits. Additionally, when entering account information, please note that accounts with seizure protection, suspended transactions, or securities accounts cannot receive deposits; you must provide a standard personal bank account capable of normal deposits and withdrawals. Keep in mind that a small mistake could be the reason you miss out on your valuable refund.

Perspectives on the Climate Card refund policy are varied. Some view it as a structural and rational measure to alleviate the burden of transportation costs in an era of high oil prices, while others criticize it as a populist policy skewed toward cash handouts. However, the core intent of the policy—to encourage public transportation use, reduce carbon emissions, and guarantee citizens' mobility—is clear. Through this refund, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to structurally lower the perceived burden of transportation costs and solidify public transit usage patterns. Regardless of the controversy, now that the policy is in effect, claiming your rightful share is the mark of a rational consumer.