2026 Energy Voucher National Happiness Card Starts October 3: How to Pay for Electricity, Gas, Kerosene, LPG, and Coal Briquettes
The physical National Happiness Card for winter energy vouchers can be used starting 2026-10-03. Eligible energy sources include electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes, and the usage deadline is 2027-05-31. However, payment locations and methods differ depending on the energy source.
What Can You Pay for Starting October 3?
The winter energy voucher program using the National Happiness Card begins 2026-10-03. Unlike the bill deduction method, which automatically subtracts the subsidy from utility bills, the National Happiness Card is a physical card that eligible recipients use to pay their energy expenses directly.
The following 5 energy sources are eligible:
Electricity
City gas
Kerosene
LPG
Coal briquettes
Importantly, district heating is not eligible for payment with the National Happiness Card. Households using district heating should check the winter utility bill deduction option instead.
There is another important distinction between the starting dates. Winter utility bill deductions begin October 1, while the physical National Happiness Card can be used starting October 3. Because these dates differ, recipients should be careful not to confuse when each payment method becomes available.
Can You Buy Kerosene, LPG, and Coal Briquettes from Any Nearby Seller?
No. Kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes must be purchased from participating merchants that accept the Energy Voucher National Happiness Card.
Not every nearby fuel retailer accepts these payments. Before making a purchase, it is advisable to confirm that the seller is an authorized energy voucher merchant. Participating merchants may also vary depending on the card issuer.
When purchasing kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes, delivery fees can also be paid with the National Happiness Card. Households receiving deliveries of heating oil or LPG should be aware that they can pay both the fuel cost and the delivery charge using the card.
How Do You Pay Electricity Bills with the National Happiness Card?
For electricity payments, recipients can call Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) at 123, without an area code, to confirm how to pay using the National Happiness Card.
Simply possessing a National Happiness Card does not mean that electricity bills can be paid with an energy voucher at a bank counter or utility bill payment machine. Bank counters and utility bill payment machines do not accept the Energy Voucher National Happiness Card.
Therefore, households that normally pay utility bills at a bank should not attempt to use the same method. Instead, they must follow KEPCO's designated card payment procedures.
Can City Gas Bills Be Paid Without Visiting an Office?
Depending on the city gas supplier, recipients may be able to use card payment methods such as visiting a customer service office, telephone automated response systems (ARS), online payment, or automatic payment arrangements.
However, supported payment methods and accepted card types may differ among city gas companies. Before paying, recipients should contact their city gas supplier to confirm which payment methods are available for their particular National Happiness Card.
The important point is that even when the same National Happiness Card is used for electricity and city gas, the actual payment procedures may differ depending on the energy supplier.
Utility Bill Deductions and National Happiness Card Payments Are Different
During winter, recipients need to distinguish between the two available methods.
The utility bill deduction method allows households to select one of three energy sources—electricity, city gas, or district heating—and have the subsidy deducted from their bills. The winter usage period for 2026 runs from October 1 through 2027-05-31.
The National Happiness Card method allows recipients to pay directly by card for electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes. It can be used from October 3 through 2027-05-31.
The distinction is particularly clear for district heating and coal briquettes. District heating is eligible for utility bill deductions but cannot be paid for with the National Happiness Card. Conversely, coal briquettes can be purchased using the National Happiness Card.
How Much Financial Support Is Available This Year?
The total energy voucher subsidy for 2026 varies according to the number of household members.
| Household Size | Total Subsidy for 2026 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
These amounts represent the total subsidy for 2026, not a monthly payment.
Under the standard energy voucher program, support amounts are not fixed separately for summer and winter. Instead, recipients can use their allocated subsidy during the applicable usage periods. However, separate conditions apply to households seeking coal briquette coupons, coal briquette conversion energy vouchers, or fuel expense assistance under the Emergency Welfare Support program.
What Should You Check Before Using the Card on October 3?
For households that have already applied for energy vouchers and selected the National Happiness Card as their winter payment method, the simplest approach is to check both the card and where it can be used before making a payment.
When purchasing kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes, first confirm that the retailer is an authorized energy voucher merchant. For electricity, check KEPCO's payment procedures. For city gas, contact your supplier to verify the available payment methods and accepted card types.
The National Happiness Card must be kept and used by its rightful holder. It must not be given or lent to another person for use.
To check the remaining balance, log in to Bokjiro, South Korea's welfare services portal, and navigate to Welfare Wallet → My Welfare Wallet. For detailed transaction records and other energy voucher inquiries, contact the integrated consultation center at 1600-3190.
For households that have not yet applied for an energy voucher, the application deadline for 2026 is December 31. Applicants should confirm their eligibility before applying. Those planning to use the National Happiness Card should also check that the card has been issued and is ready for use after their application.
The key points to remember as of 2026-10-03 are straightforward. The National Happiness Card can be used for electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes starting October 3, and card payments must be completed by 2027-05-31. For kerosene, LPG, and coal briquettes, confirm that the seller is an authorized participating merchant. For electricity and city gas, check the relevant supplier's card payment procedures first.