2026 Can You Use Energy Voucher Funds Unused in Summer During Winter? Rules for Using the Remaining Support

With the 2026 energy voucher, funds unused in summer can be carried over for winter use. This is because the support is provided as a total annual amount that can be used from 2026-07-01 to 2027-05-31, rather than as separate summer and winter allocations. However, usage conditions differ for households that also receive certain forms of support, such as a briquette coupon or emergency welfare fuel assistance.

1. Can energy voucher funds unused in summer remain available for winter? For a standard energy voucher, funds unused in summer carry over for winter use.

According to the Korea Energy Agency’s official 2026 energy voucher guidance, the support can be used freely throughout the full usage period, without separate summer and winter allocations.

Therefore, even if you used little or none of your voucher toward summer electricity bills, you can use the remaining funds for winter heating costs.

The usage periods for 2026 are as follows:

Category	Usage period
Summer	2026.7.1.~9.30.
Winter bill deduction	2026.10.1.~2027.5.31.
Winter National Happiness Card	2026.10.3.~2027.5.31.
End of full usage period	2027.5.31.

As of 2026-11-14, the summer usage period has ended, and the winter usage period is underway.

The important point is that summer and winter support are not paid separately.

2. How much can you use during winter, based on the number of household members?

The 2026 energy voucher support amount varies according to the number of household members listed on the resident registration record.

The general support amounts announced by the Korea Energy Agency are as follows:

Household size	Annual support amount
1-person household	KRW 295,200
2-person household	KRW 407,500
3-person household	KRW 532,700
Household of 4 or more	KRW 701,300

For example, if a 2-person household received KRW 407,500 in support and used KRW 30,000 during summer, the calculation would be as follows.

Annual support: KRW 407,500

Amount used in summer: KRW 30,000

Remaining amount: KRW 377,500

Author’s calculation: KRW 407,500 - KRW 30,000 = KRW 377,500

This is the basic calculation for the balance available to use during winter. Check your actual balance in your voucher usage history.

Also, the support amount above is the total support limit for 2026, not a monthly payment.

3. Do you need to request that summer bills not be offset to save the voucher for winter use?

The Korea Energy Agency advises households that do not plan to use their voucher in summer and instead want to concentrate their use in winter to request that summer bills not be offset.

This arrangement prevents the voucher from being deducted from summer electricity bills.

However, the following cases should be distinguished:

If you used some of the voucher in summer: You can use the remaining amount in winter.

If you did not use any of it in summer: The general support can still be used in winter.

If you do not want the voucher deducted from summer bills: You can adjust how it is used by requesting that summer bills not be offset.

Since the current date is November 2026, the summer bill deduction period has already ended.

So at this point, rather than deciding whether to request that summer bills not be offset, it is important to check your actual remaining balance and how you will use the voucher during winter.

4. Where can you check your remaining energy voucher balance?

You can check your remaining support after verifying your identity on Bokjiro.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Bokjiro website.

2. Log in using simple authentication or another method.

3. Go to the Welfare Wallet menu.

4. Check your balance in My Welfare Wallet.

The Korea Energy Agency’s Energy Voucher website also provides instructions for checking your balance.

If you have a problem viewing detailed usage history or checking your balance, contact the Energy Voucher Integrated Counseling Center.

Counseling phone: 1600-3190

Counseling hours: Weekdays 09:00~18:00

Lunch break: 12:00~13:00

Official website:

Bokjiro:

5. Exceptions to keep in mind when using the remaining funds in winter

If you receive both the standard energy voucher and other fuel assistance, check the support amounts and usage conditions separately.

In particular, the standard annual support amount and conditions differ for households seeking the following assistance:

Briquette coupon from the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation

Energy voucher for switching to briquettes

Winter fuel assistance under the Emergency Welfare Support Act

The official 2026 guidance states that households seeking these forms of support together receive only the amount shown in parentheses, and that this amount is designated for summer use only.

Household size	General support amount	Amount under exception
1 people	KRW 295,200	KRW 40,700
2 people	KRW 407,500	KRW 58,800
3 people	KRW 532,700	KRW 75,800
4 or more people	KRW 701,300	KRW 102,000

Therefore, if your household has applied for other fuel assistance or received a briquette coupon, do not assume that you can use the voucher through winter under the same rules as the standard energy voucher.

For an accurate answer about your individual support decision, check with your local administrative welfare center or the Energy Voucher Counseling Center.

In closing: Check your balance before using it for winter heating costs

If you are eligible for standard support, you can use the amount remaining from summer under the 2026 energy voucher during winter as well.

There are three key points:

1. Summer and winter are covered by one annual total, not separate support amounts.

2. The overall usage period for standard support ends on 2027-05-31.

3. Households receiving exception-based support, such as a briquette coupon or emergency welfare fuel assistance, should check the separate usage conditions.

In particular, for bill deductions, support is provided when a deduction request is submitted to the energy supplier by 2027-05-31 and the bill has been issued or prepared. National Happiness Cards must also be used for payment within the designated usage period.

Rather than assuming that unused support can be carried over to the following year, check in advance so you can use it before 2027-05-31.