2026 Energy Voucher Heating Assistance: Am I Eligible? Maximum KRW 701,300 by Household Size and Application Requirements
To qualify for the 2026 Energy Voucher Program, you must receive at least one of the National Basic Livelihood Security benefits—livelihood, medical, housing, or education assistance—and you or a member of your registered household must meet at least one designated condition, such as being an older adult, infant or young child, person with a disability, pregnant woman, person with a serious illness, single-parent family, or household with multiple children. The total benefit ranges from KRW 295,200 to KRW 701,300 depending on household size. As of 2026-10-07, the winter usage period has already begun, and new applications can be submitted until December 31.
Not Everyone Receiving Basic Livelihood Security Benefits Is Eligible
You must meet two sets of requirements to qualify for an energy voucher.
The first is the income eligibility requirement. You must receive at least one of the following benefits under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act: livelihood assistance, medical assistance, housing assistance, or education assistance.
The second concerns household member characteristics. At least one person listed on your resident registration certificate, whether the benefit recipient or another household member, must meet one of the following conditions.
Older adult: Born before 1961-12-31, according to resident registration records
Infant or young child: A preschool child aged 7 or younger, born on or after 2019-01-01 according to resident registration records
Person with a registered disability under the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act
Woman who is pregnant or gave birth less than 6 months ago
Person with a serious illness, rare disease, or severe intractable disease meeting the designated criteria
Person eligible for assistance under the Single-Parent Family Support Act
Child eligible for child-headed household assistance or protection through foster care
Household with multiple children that includes a father or mother and at least 2 children under 19 years of age
Therefore, simply having two children does not automatically qualify a household for assistance. The household must also satisfy the income requirement by receiving National Basic Livelihood Security benefits.
Conversely, eligibility is not limited to recipients of livelihood or medical assistance. Recipients of housing or education assistance may also apply if they meet the household member characteristics requirement.
How Much Does the 2026 Benefit Vary by Household Size?
The 2026 benefit amount varies according to the number of household members listed on the resident registration certificate.
| Household Size | Total 2026 Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| 1-person household | KRW 295,200 |
| 2-person household | KRW 407,500 |
| 3-person household | KRW 532,700 |
| Household with 4 or more members | KRW 701,300 |
The most important point is that the amounts in this table are the total 2026 benefit amounts, not monthly payments.
Comparing a 1-person household with a household of 4 or more members, the difference in total assistance is KRW 406,100. This is the amount obtained by subtracting KRW 295,200 from KRW 701,300.
Energy vouchers are also not provided as a lump-sum cash payment for heating expenses. Depending on the energy source and payment method, assistance is provided through deductions from utility bills or through the National Happiness Card.
Using Part of the Benefit in Summer Does Not Mean You Receive Another KRW 701,300 in Winter
The 2026 Energy Voucher Program does not provide separate new benefit allocations for summer and winter.
A fixed annual benefit is available for use from 2026-07-01 through 2027-05-31, and any amount remaining after summer usage can be applied toward winter heating expenses.
For example, KRW 701,300 for households with 4 or more members is the total 2026 benefit, not a new amount provided exclusively for winter. If you already used part of your voucher to pay summer electricity bills, you should check your remaining balance.
Is It Too Late to Apply Now?
As of 2026-10-07, the application period is still open.
Applications for the 2026 Energy Voucher Program are accepted from June 15 through December 31. For winter usage, the utility bill deduction method became available on October 1, while the physical National Happiness Card method became available on October 3.
The winter usage period ends on 2027-05-31 for both methods.
You can apply in person at the administrative welfare center in the eup, myeon, or dong where your residence is registered, or online through Bokjiro, Korea's welfare services portal. If you cannot apply personally, an authorized representative may submit an application under the prescribed procedures. A responsible public official may also submit an application on your behalf with your consent.
If you apply for the utility bill deduction method, you will need a recently paid electricity, city gas, or district heating bill. Apartment residents may prepare their building maintenance fee statement instead.
If I Received an Energy Voucher Last Year, Do I Need to Apply Again?
If you used an energy voucher last year, your registered information has not changed, and you still meet the eligibility requirements this year, your application may be processed automatically.
However, if you have moved or your household size or other registered information has changed, you should not assume that your eligibility will automatically carry over simply because you received assistance last year. Existing recipients whose information has changed should check whether they need to submit a new application or complete the required reapplication procedures.
If your address, household composition, or other information changes while you are receiving assistance, it is also advisable to notify the relevant administrative welfare center and complete any necessary procedures.
How Can the Voucher Be Used for Heating Expenses?
During winter, you can choose between two methods: deductions from utility bills through a virtual card or payments using a physical National Happiness Card.
Under the utility bill deduction method, you select one of three energy sources—electricity, city gas, or district heating—and the voucher amount is deducted from the relevant bill. Deductions apply to bills issued within the designated usage period.
The National Happiness Card can be used for electricity and city gas, as well as kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes. It is important to identify the energy source your home actually uses most frequently and select the payment method that best suits your heating system.
Check Restrictions on Receiving Multiple Heating Subsidies If You Already Receive Other Assistance
Even if you meet the Energy Voucher Program's eligibility requirements, you may not be able to receive it together with certain other winter heating subsidies.
Restrictions on receiving overlapping winter energy voucher assistance apply if you receive winter fuel expense assistance under the Emergency Welfare Support Act from October 2026 through March 2027, received 2026 coal briquette coupons, or received a 2026 coal briquette conversion energy voucher.
Households in which every member receives benefits while residing in a residential welfare facility under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act are also excluded from the Energy Voucher Program.
Therefore, if you already receive another form of heating assistance, you should check not only whether you qualify for basic livelihood security benefits but also which other winter assistance programs you currently receive.
The Fastest Way to Determine Whether You Qualify
First, check whether you receive at least one of the following benefits: livelihood, medical, housing, or education assistance.
Next, check whether you or anyone else listed on your resident registration certificate meets the requirements relating to older adults, infants or young children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, people with serious, rare, or severe intractable diseases, single-parent families, child-headed households, or households with multiple children.
If you meet both requirements, check your household size to determine your applicable total 2026 benefit: KRW 295,200 for 1-person households, KRW 407,500 for 2-person households, KRW 532,700 for 3-person households, or KRW 701,300 for households with 4 or more members.
Finally, check any restrictions on combining the voucher with other winter fuel or coal briquette assistance, as well as whether you have moved or experienced changes in household membership since last year.
As of 2026-10-07, the winter usage period has already begun, but the application deadline is December 31. If you are uncertain about your eligibility, the most reliable approach is to contact the administrative welfare center responsible for your registered residence and have staff verify both your current benefit recipient status and the characteristics of your household members.