"I Was Afraid to Turn on the Boiler, but They're Giving Away 700,000 Won?"... Winter Heating Aid You Don't Want to Miss [The Essentials of Benefits]

Up to 700,000 Won for Households of Four or More... Apply by December 31
Must Meet Both Basic Living Benefit and Household Member Criteria

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see." Even in an age overflowing with information, there are many things we miss simply because we don't know about them. [The Essentials of Benefits] brings you useful news to help with everyday life.

Winter is now in full swing. As temperatures drop below freezing, more households are expected to worry about the burden of heating costs. The government offers a support program for energy-vulnerable households, but many miss out because they do not know whether they qualify or how to apply. We take a look at the eligibility requirements and how to use the Energy Voucher, as well as tips for saving on heating costs at home.

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Energy Voucher Offers Up to 700,000 Won for a Four-Person Household... Applications Accepted Through December 31

Applications for the 2026 Energy Voucher are open through December 31.

The amount of support depends on household size: 295,200 won for a one-person household, 407,500 won for a two-person household, 532,700 won for a three-person household, and 701,300 won for a household of four or more. These are the total amounts for 2026, not monthly payments. The support is provided not in cash but as a voucher for electricity, city gas, district heating, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), briquettes, and other eligible purchases.

Unlike last year, when separate amounts were set for summer and winter use, recipients can now use the support freely within the annual limit. Any amount left over after paying for summer cooling costs can be carried over to cover winter heating costs.

To receive the Energy Voucher, applicants must meet both the income and household-member requirements. The income requirement is that the household receives at least one of the following benefits under the National Basic Living Security Act: livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits. Eligible household members include older adults, infants and young children, registered persons with disabilities, pregnant women, people with severe illnesses, rare diseases, or severe incurable diseases, single-parent families, households headed by children or teenagers, and households with multiple children.

Applications can be submitted in person at the administrative welfare center in the applicant's registered town, township, or neighborhood, or online through the Bokjiro website. A family member or another person may apply on behalf of someone who has difficulty getting around. Households that had no changes to their information during the previous support period and remain eligible this year will be automatically enrolled. If any information has changed, such as a move or a change in the number of household members, they must apply again.

자세한 내용은 에너지바우처 통합상담센터나 에너지바우처 웹사이트에서 확인할 수 있다. 에너지바우처 웹사이트 캡처

Oops must English only. Translate. "Detailed information is available from the Energy Voucher Integrated Counseling Center or on the Energy Voucher website. Screenshot of the Energy Voucher website." Good. Ensure no Korean.

Use by May 31, 2027... New Application Required if You Move or Household Members Change

The Energy Voucher must be used by May 31, 2027. Any remaining balance cannot be used after that date.

Choose the payment method that matches your home's heating system. For apartments using city gas or district heating, a virtual card, which automatically deducts the amount from the utility bill, is convenient. Detached homes and rural households using oil boilers or briquettes should choose the National Happiness Card, which can be used to pay for fuel purchases directly. Even if you choose the wrong method, you can change it at any time before the usage deadline by contacting your local administrative welfare center.

However, households receiving emergency welfare fuel support for the winter, briquette coupons, or an Energy Voucher converted from briquette support cannot receive winter Energy Voucher support as well.

For more information about eligibility and how to use the voucher, visit the Energy Voucher Integrated Counseling Center or the Energy Voucher website.

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Lower the Thermostat When You Go Out and Insulate Window Gaps... Everyday Ways to Save

Along with using the Energy Voucher, it is also helpful to know how to save on heating costs through everyday practices at home.

First, it is important to adjust the indoor temperature. The Korea Energy Agency recommends setting the indoor temperature to 20 degrees Celsius in winter. It says that lowering the thermostat by 1 degree can reduce energy consumption by about 7%.

How you manage the heating when you go out matters, too. Turning off the boiler completely when you leave home for a short time may seem like a way to save on heating costs, but it can take more fuel to warm the room back up once it has cooled. It is better to use the "away mode" or set the temperature 2 to 3 degrees lower than usual.

Applying weatherstripping or insulating window film to gaps around windows and doors can block drafts and reduce heat loss. Thick curtains and floor rugs can also help keep rooms warm.

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