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To qualify for an energy voucher, you must meet both the Basic Livelihood Security benefit requirement and the household member requirement. Prepare the application form and the documents needed for your chosen method. You can apply through Bokjiro or at the administrative welfare center for your address by December 31, 2026.
Amounts and dates are based on the Korea Energy Agency’s 2026 program guide.
2026 Energy Voucher Application Process
Check your eligibility, then apply based on the type of energy you use. The voucher helps pay for electricity, gas, and heating fuel. Your city, county, or district decides whether you qualify and notifies you of the result.
- Check whether you receive livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits.
- Check whether you or a household member listed on your resident registration certificate meets a household member requirement.
- Choose bill deduction or the National Happiness Card.
- Prepare the application form and required documents.
- Apply through Bokjiro or visit the administrative welfare center in your eup, myeon, or dong.
To apply online, log in to Bokjiro and go to the service application menu. Select the program under welfare service applications. If you have trouble entering information on the screen, you can ask the administrative welfare center for help. Korea Energy Agency application guide
| Application situation | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|
| Standard application | Energy voucher issuance application form |
| Application by a representative | Recipient’s letter of authorization and representative’s ID |
| Bill deduction application | The most recently paid bill or receipt for the relevant energy source |
| Apartment bill deduction application | Apartment maintenance fee bill |
You can complete the form for an in-person application at the administrative welfare center. If you have difficulty getting around, ask about applying through a representative. A public official may also apply on your behalf with your consent.
If you choose the voucher card for winter, check your card payment after approval.AI-generated image
Who Can Apply for an Energy Voucher
You must meet both the benefit requirement and the household member requirement. Your Basic Livelihood Security recipient status must be confirmed on the application date. Low income alone does not qualify you.
For the benefit requirement, you must receive at least one of the following: livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits. The household member requirement applies to you or a household member listed on your resident registration certificate. Check whether any of the following applies. Korea Energy Agency eligibility self-assessment
| Household member characteristic | 2026 eligibility criterion |
|---|---|
| Older adult | Born on or before December 31, 1961, according to resident registration |
| Young child | Preschool child age 7 or younger born on or after January 1, 2019 |
| Person with a disability | Registered as a person with a disability under the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities |
| Pregnant woman or new mother | Pregnant or less than 6 months after giving birth |
| Person with a serious, rare, or severe intractable disease | Meets the relevant disease criteria under the Criteria for Special Cases in Calculating Out-of-Pocket Payments |
| Single-parent family | Eligible for support under Articles 5 and 5-2 of the Single-Parent Family Support Act |
| Child-headed household | Eligible for support under a Ministry of Health and Welfare program, including children in foster care |
| Household with multiple children | Includes one parent and at least two of that parent’s children under age 19 |
Children in foster care listed on the same resident registration certificate also count toward the multiple-child requirement. A household is excluded if all its members receive benefits in a residential care facility. Check the detailed disease criteria with the administrative welfare center.
Energy Voucher Support Amounts and Remaining Balance
The amount for each household is the total for the full 2026 usage period. It is not a fixed monthly payment. Household size is calculated using the resident registration certificate.
| Household size | Total 2026 support amount |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 295,200 won |
| 2 people | 407,500 won |
| 3 people | 532,700 won |
| 4 or more people | 701,300 won |
The full usage period runs from July 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. Any amount used in summer is deducted from the total. You can use the remaining balance for winter heating costs. Korea Energy Agency winter press release
Base your winter budget on your current balance, not the total originally allocated. Subtracting what you remember using in summer may give you a different figure from your actual balance. You can check your balance in the Welfare Wallet on Bokjiro.
Comparing Bill Deduction and the National Happiness Card
Choose bill deduction to have the amount taken off a bill, or choose the card to buy fuel directly. You use one of the two methods in winter. The available method depends on the energy source you use.
| Comparison | Bill deduction | National Happiness Card |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible energy sources | One of electricity, city gas, or district heating | Electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes |
| How it works | Deducted from the bill for the selected energy source | Pay directly with the physical card |
| Winter start date | October 1, 2026 | October 3, 2026 |
| Winter end date | May 31, 2027 | May 31, 2027 |
| Requirement at the end of the period | Bill charged or prepared during the usage period | Card payment completed during the usage period |
District heating uses bill deduction. If you buy kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes, check which merchants accept the card. In summer, only electricity bill deduction is available. Korea Energy Agency program overview
How to Use Bill Deduction
Apply using a recent bill for your selected energy source, and the deduction will start the following month. Check a later bill to confirm that it has been applied. The supplier must process the deduction request and issue the bill by the end of the usage period.
- Choose one of electricity, city gas, or district heating for winter use.
- Apply for bill deduction using the relevant bill.
- Check the deduction and amount charged on your next bill.
How to Use the Energy Voucher National Happiness Card
After applying for the voucher, check how to get the card and make payments. Getting the card alone does not complete your application for support. The cards and payment methods accepted vary by supplier.
- Apply for a National Happiness Card through a bank or card company.
- Pay for kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes at a participating merchant.
- Ask your electricity or city gas supplier which card payment methods are available.
- Complete payment by May 31, 2027.
You can include delivery fees when paying for kerosene, LPG, or coal briquettes. You cannot use the card at bank counters or utility bill payment machines. You must keep and use your own card. Korea Energy Agency usage guide
