Energy Voucher 2026 Application: Up to 701,300 Won

Households receiving basic livelihood security benefits must also meet the designated household member criteria. Total support ranges from 295,200 won for a 1-person household to 701,300 won for a household of 4 or more. Apply through Bokjiro or at an administrative welfare center by December 31, 2026. Prepare your ID and a recent utility bill.

As of September 2026

Energy Voucher Application Process

Before applying, check your eligibility, number of household members, and usage method in that order. You can apply online through Bokjiro. In-person applications are accepted at the eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare center for your registered address.

1. Confirm that your household receives eligible benefits. Your household must receive livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits.
2. Check the household member criteria. Your household must include a designated eligible person, such as an older adult, infant or young child, person with a disability, pregnant woman, single parent, or member of a multi-child family.
3. Check the number of household members. The support amount is determined by the household size listed on the resident registration record, not by the number of individuals separately.
4. Choose a usage method. Compare the accepted uses and start dates for utility bill deductions and the National Happiness Card.
5. Prepare the application documents. Prepare your ID and a recent energy bill, and if applying through a representative, check the documents required to verify authorization.
6. Apply by the deadline. Submit your application through Bokjiro or at an administrative welfare center by December 31, 2026.
7. Check the balance after applying. Check the amount used and the remaining balance through the official Energy Voucher balance inquiry service.

For online applications, prepare a means of identity verification. It is also helpful to check the customer number on your bill in advance. Apartment residents should check whether energy charges are shown on their maintenance fee statement.

Eligibility Conditions by Category

To qualify for an Energy Voucher, a household must meet both the benefit recipient requirement and the household member criteria. Meeting only one of the two does not qualify the household. Detailed age and eligibility criteria must be checked in the 2026 notice.

For older adults and infants or young children, the birth date criteria specified in the notice apply. Eligibility for persons with disabilities and single parents must also be confirmed in administrative records. If your eligibility information changed recently, check whether the change has been reflected before applying.

“Even if you received Energy Voucher support in the previous year, you must submit a new application to receive Energy Voucher support if your information has changed, such as due to a move or a change in the number of household members.”

— Energy Voucher Application Guide

2026 Support Amounts by Household Size

The support amount is set as an annual total based on the number of household members. It is not a monthly payment. The same amount is also not paid separately to each household member.

The support amount is not deposited as cash for living expenses. Depending on the selected method, it is deducted from energy bills or used through the National Happiness Card. Check the actual available balance through the official inquiry page.

Calculation Example

Assume that a 3-person household receiving housing benefits includes a pregnant woman. This household may meet both the benefit requirement and the household member criteria. If approved after review, its 2026 annual total support amount is 532,700 won.

The calculation is not based on 3 people × support amount per person. The amount of 532,700 won for the 3-person household category applies. Even if the household includes a pregnant woman and another person who meets a characteristic criterion, the support amounts are not added together.

Application Documents and Required Items

If applying in person, first prepare your ID and a recent energy bill. You may need a bill for the energy source to which you want the deduction applied. Residents of multi-unit housing may prepare a maintenance fee statement.

• Energy Voucher issuance application form
• Applicant’s ID
• Recent electricity, city gas, or district heating bill
• Maintenance fee statement for multi-unit housing
• Authorization-related documents and the representative’s ID when applying through a representative
• Means of identity verification for online applications

The application form can be completed at an administrative welfare center. Documents required for an application through a representative may vary depending on the relationship between the applicant and the representative. Before visiting, check with the relevant center about the required documents.

Comparison of Utility Bill Deductions and the National Happiness Card

A utility bill deduction subtracts the voucher amount from the bill. The National Happiness Card is used to pay for approved energy sources at participating merchants. Their usage start dates and accepted uses differ.

The National Happiness Card is not a general cash-equivalent card that can be used at every retailer. You must check the approved payment locations for each energy source. Also check the card issuance status before use.

Transition Schedule from September 30 to October 3

Summer utility bill deductions end on September 30, 2026. Winter utility bill deductions begin on October 1. Winter use of the National Happiness Card begins on October 3.

The winter start dates for utility bill deductions and the card differ by 2 days. If you want to purchase fuel with the card on October 1 or 2, first check whether it can be used. Households using bill deductions should also check whether the applicable energy source is correct.

Checklist for Moves and Household Member Changes

If you have moved or your household members have changed, do not rely solely on your recipient history from the previous year. Your address and customer number may have changed. If the number of household members changes, the support category may also change.

• Check whether your move-in registration has been completed for your current address.
• Check the number of household members on the resident registration record.
• Check whether the electricity and gas customer numbers correspond to the new address.
• Check whether the energy source selected for the utility bill deduction is supplied to your current home.
• Ask the administrative welfare center whether a new application or change request is required.
• Check whether it overlaps with other winter energy support.

This check helps reduce errors in which bill deductions remain linked to a previous address. If the number of household members has changed, do not assume that the existing support amount will continue to apply. Your eligibility may be reviewed again based on the updated information.

Common Mistakes

The most common misunderstanding is that all basic livelihood security recipients receive the benefit automatically. The designated household member criteria must also be met. Check the following before applying.

• Interpreting the support amount as a monthly payment: The amounts in the table are the annual totals for 2026.
• Adding the amount for each household member: The support amount is based on household-size categories, not a sum of individual amounts.
• Assuming that summer and winter support amounts are received separately: The listed amount is the total support for both cooling and heating.
• Assuming that all winter usage starts on the same date: Utility bill deductions begin on October 1, while the National Happiness Card begins on October 3.
• Relying only on the previous year’s recipient history: A new application may be required after a move or change in household members.
• Assuming that the balance can be received in cash: The voucher is used for approved energy expenses.

How to Check the Balance

You can check the balance through the official Energy Voucher balance inquiry service. Accurately enter the applicant and household information requested on the inquiry page. Immediately after applying, the amount may not appear right away depending on the processing status.

1. Go to the balance inquiry menu on the official Energy Voucher website.
2. Enter the applicant information requested on the page.
3. Check the displayed amount used and remaining balance.
4. If the information is correct but no results appear, ask the administrative welfare center about the processing status.

Do not check only the balance; also check the usage period. The start date and accepted payment locations vary by usage method. The deduction may appear on the bill after a delay.