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To qualify for an energy voucher, you must meet both the benefit eligibility requirements and the household member criteria. Check your eligibility first with the official self-assessment. If applying for bill deductions, have a recent utility bill ready. You can apply through Bokjiro or your local administrative welfare center by December 31, 2026.
The amounts and dates are based on the Korea Energy Agency's 2026 program guidance.
Check your eligibility with the official self-assessment
You can check whether you may qualify through the eligibility calculator on the official website. Answer based on your benefit eligibility on the application date. The results are for reference only and may differ from the actual selection decision.
- Check which benefits you receive: livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits.
- Check the characteristics of yourself and your household members listed on your resident registration certificate.
- Check whether you receive benefits through a welfare facility and whether you receive other heating assistance.
- Answer the self-assessment questions and check the results.
- If any conditions are unclear, ask your local administrative welfare center to confirm your exact eligibility.
The self-assessment does not replace an application. Even if the results suggest you may qualify, you must apply separately. These limitations are stated in the Korea Energy Agency's self-assessment guidance.
If you have moved, check which energy voucher application type applies and prepare the required documents.AI-generated image
Energy voucher eligibility requirements
You must meet both the benefit eligibility requirements and the household member criteria. People receiving at least one of the following benefits are eligible: livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits. The benefit recipient or a household member listed on the resident registration certificate must also have one of the characteristics below.
| Household member characteristic | 2026 criteria |
|---|---|
| Older adult | Born on or before December 31, 1961, according to resident registration records |
| Infant or young child | A preschool child aged at most 7, born on or after January 1, 2019 |
| Person with a disability | A person registered as having a disability under the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities |
| Pregnant or postpartum woman | A woman who is pregnant or gave birth less than 6 months ago |
| Person with a serious, rare, or severe intractable disease | A person who meets the relevant disease criteria under the Standards for Special Cases in Calculating Copayments |
| Single-parent family | A person eligible for support under Articles 5 and 5-2 of the Single-Parent Family Support Act |
| Child-headed household | A person eligible for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's support for child-headed households, including children in foster care |
| Household with multiple children | A household whose resident registration certificate lists a father or mother and at least 2 of that parent's children aged less than 19 |
The multiple-child criteria also count children in foster care listed on the same resident registration certificate. For infants and young children, check both the birth date and the requirement that the child has not yet started school. Having children or being older does not, by itself, qualify you for this program. Detailed criteria are available in the official eligibility questions.
Exclusions and overlapping winter assistance
Households are excluded if all members receive benefits through welfare facilities. In winter, you cannot receive the voucher together with the assistance listed below. If you receive other heating assistance, tell the staff member before applying.
| Assistance to check | Period or year covered by the restriction on overlapping assistance |
|---|---|
| Winter fuel assistance under the Emergency Aid and Support Act | October 2026 through March 2027 |
| Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation coal briquette coupons | 2026 |
| Coal briquette conversion energy vouchers | 2026 |
If you want to apply for other winter assistance after using the voucher in summer, check the procedure for stopping voucher support. You must also separately check the permitted period for switching to other assistance. Restrictions on overlapping assistance and the rules for changes are listed in the support guidance.
How much energy voucher support can you receive?
The support amount depends on the number of household members listed on your resident registration certificate. The amounts below are the annual totals per household for 2026. They are not monthly payments or separate additional winter payments.
| Number of household members | Total support amount for 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 295,200 won |
| 2 | 407,500 won |
| 3 | 532,700 won |
| At least 4 | 701,300 won |
Any amount left after summer use can be used in winter. If you have already used part of the support, your current balance will differ from the total. If you choose a program subject to restrictions on overlapping assistance, the totals above do not apply as listed.
For example, an eligible 2-person household receives an annual total of 407,500 won. Do not calculate this as a monthly payment. Check Bokjiro for the balance you can actually use in winter. The amounts in the table are based on the Korea Energy Agency's 2026 support guidance.
Application period and required documents
The application period is June 15 through December 31, 2026. You can apply online through Bokjiro. In-person applications are accepted at the administrative welfare center for the eup, myeon, or dong where your registered address is located.
- Check whether you need to submit a new application or qualify for automatic application.
- Choose bill deductions or the National Happiness Card for winter use.
- Prepare the documents required for your chosen method and the person applying.
- Apply through Bokjiro or your local administrative welfare center.
- Check whether you have been selected and the approved support amount.
| Application situation | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|
| Applying in person | Energy voucher issuance application form, completed at the administrative welfare center |
| Applying for bill deductions | The most recently paid electricity, city gas, or district heating bill or receipt |
| Applying for bill deductions in an apartment | Apartment management fee statement |
| Applying through a representative | The eligible person's letter of authorization and the representative's identification |
A representative must be an authorized household member listed on the resident registration certificate or a relative within the specified range. This includes blood relatives within the 8th degree and relatives by marriage within the 4th degree. If applying is difficult, ask whether the responsible public official can apply on your behalf. An application initiated by an official requires the eligible person's verbal or written consent.
Application methods and documents are based on the application guidance. Applications and reapplications may be suspended for 2 to 3 days in late December 2026. Check official notices or ask your administrative welfare center for the exact suspension dates.
