"Am I Eligible Too?" Up to 700,000 Won Provided... Who Qualifies for Government Support for Heating and Cooling Costs? [The Essentials of Benefits]

Some Basic Livelihood Recipient Households Eligible

290,000 Won for Single Households, 700,000 Won for Households of Four or More

Applications Accepted Starting June 15

Editor's Note'The more you know, the more you see, and the more you save.' Although we live in an age overflowing with information, there are still many things that each of us may miss. In [The Essentials of Benefits], we deliver useful news that can put money in your pocket if you know it, and cost you if you don't, focusing on everyday tips and support policies.

#Ms. A, a woman in her 30s raising young children, worries about her electricity bill as summer approaches. Her household, which receives basic livelihood security benefits, cannot simply turn off the air conditioner or fan on hot days because of the child, but the cost of cooling is still a heavy burden. Ms. A has decided to check the community center's notice about applying for the energy voucher, which provides support for heating and cooling costs.

Air conditioner outdoor unit image for article understanding. The Asia Business Daily DB

With summer around the corner, applications have begun for the 2026 Energy Voucher program, which can help reduce the burden of cooling costs. The energy voucher is not available to all households. It is only for households receiving basic livelihood security benefits that also meet certain household member criteria.

Eligible households can receive support for heating and cooling energy costs, including electricity, city gas, district heating, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and coal briquettes. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' Consumer Price Trends for May 2026, the prices of electricity, gas, and water services rose compared to the same month last year. This is why interest is growing in programs that help ease the financial burden for energy-vulnerable groups as the use of cooling appliances increases in summer.

This year, the amount of support has also increased slightly. According to the 2026 budget data from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the energy voucher budget grew by 2.6%, from 481.5 billion won last year to 494 billion won this year. The amount of support varies depending on the number of household members, with households of four or more eligible for up to 701,300 won.

Some Recipients of Basic Livelihood, Medical, Housing, and Educational Benefits Are Eligible

To receive the energy voucher, households must meet both income and household member criteria. The income criterion includes recipients of livelihood, medical, housing, and educational benefits under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act.

The household member criterion applies if the recipient or any household member listed on the resident registration certificate is a senior citizen, infant, person with disabilities, pregnant woman, person with a serious illness, person with a rare disease, person with an intractable disease, single-parent family, child-headed household, or multi-child household. However, households in which all members receive benefits from a residential facility are excluded from eligibility.

During the winter, some programs may overlap and restrict duplicate support. Those already receiving fuel cost support under the Emergency Welfare Support Act, Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation's coal briquette coupons, or the Briquette Conversion Energy Voucher should check for duplication before applying.

290,000 Won for One Person, 700,000 Won for Households of Four or More

Image related to energy vouchers to aid understanding of the article. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The amount of support is provided on a sliding scale according to the number of household members. This year, the total annual amount is 295,200 won for a single-person household, 407,500 won for a two-person household, 532,700 won for a three-person household, and 701,300 won for households of four or more. These are annual amounts for 2026, not monthly figures.

The usage period is from July 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. The summer usage period is from July 1 to September 30, and summer energy vouchers can only be applied as a deduction from electricity bills. In winter, recipients can choose between bill deduction and the National Happiness Card.

Bill deduction means the support amount is automatically subtracted from electricity, city gas, or district heating bills. The National Happiness Card can be used to directly purchase kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes. The support can be freely used at any time during the eligible period, regardless of whether it is summer or winter. However, if a recipient wants to save the voucher for use in winter rather than in summer, they must apply for non-deduction during the summer period.

New Application Required in Case of Change of Address or Household Members

The application period runs from June 15 to December 31. In-person applications are accepted at the Eup/Myeon/Dong Administrative Welfare Center corresponding to your resident registration address, and online applications can be submitted via the Bokjiro website. There is also a method where a government official applies on behalf of the recipient with their consent.

If there were no changes in your energy voucher support information last year and you still qualify this year, the application is processed automatically. However, if you moved or your household size changed, you must submit a new application, even if you received support last year.

Proxy applications are also possible. A household member or relative listed on the resident registration certificate can apply on behalf of the recipient; in this case, a letter of proxy and the proxy’s ID are required. For bill deduction applications, you will need to prepare your most recent electricity, city gas, district heating, or apartment management fee bill.

This year, a "pre-exception payment" system will be introduced for recipients whose energy costs are included in monthly rent and cannot pay directly with the voucher. Additionally, a "Briquette Conversion Energy Voucher" will be newly implemented to support energy purchase costs for vulnerable groups converting from coal briquettes to other heating fuels.

To make the most of the energy voucher, it is important to check both eligibility and automatic application status, as well as how to use it. If you are concerned about summer cooling or winter heating costs, it is advisable to check your eligibility in advance by contacting your local administrative welfare center, the energy voucher website, or the integrated call center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.