energy voucher application Energy Voucher Application Every summer and winter, many people sigh with worry about heating and cooling costs. Especially heads of households between 40 and 60 years old know better than anyone that this burden is by no means light. To alleviate the burden on these energy-vulnerable groups, the government operates the Energy Voucher system every year. In 2026, despite the support amount being increased to an all-time high, many people are still unaware and missing out on benefits. To ensure you don’t lose out simply because you didn’t know, we will now thoroughly explain everything about the Energy Voucher.
Especially this year, as the eligibility criteria have expanded and the amount has increased, it’s crucial to know exactly how much benefit your household can receive and how to apply. If you give up thinking, ‘I probably won’t qualify,’ you’re simply throwing away support funds exceeding 700,000 won. We hope this article provides information that will be of practical help to your household.
2026 Energy Voucher: Who Can Receive How Much?
To receive the 2026 Energy Voucher, you must meet both income criteria and household member characteristics criteria. First, the income criteria require you to be a recipient of basic livelihood benefits, medical benefits, housing benefits, or education benefits under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act. If you meet even one of these, the basic condition is satisfied. Next, the important household member characteristics criteria require at least one of the following to be included in the recipient household:
- Seniors: Aged 65 or older
- Infants/Young Children: Aged 7 or younger
- Persons with Disabilities: Registered persons with disabilities
- Pregnant Women: Pregnant or less than 6 months postpartum
- Patients with Severe/Rare/Intractable Diseases
- Single-Parent Families
- Child-Headed Households
Especially in 2026, there is a possibility that multi-child households will also be added, so while specific criteria have not yet been released, you should keep an eye on related news. The support amount varies depending on the number of household members; a 1-person household can receive approximately 340,000 to 375,000 won, and a household of 4 or more can receive up to 701,300 to 795,000 won. You can use the combined amount for summer cooling and winter heating costs, so please check your eligibility now to see if your household qualifies.
Applying for the Energy Voucher: It’s Easy!
Applying for the Energy Voucher is simpler than you might think. The application period usually runs from late May to December, but summer cooling costs can be used from July 1st to September 30th, and any remaining balance will expire after this period, so you need to act quickly. There are two main application methods:
- In-person Application: Visit your local Eup/Myeon/Dong community center (based on your resident registration) with your ID. If you have difficulty moving, you can ask the 담당 공무원 (responsible public official) to apply on your behalf by phone.
- Online Application: You can apply directly on the Bokjiro website. Online application is convenient, but accurate information entry is essential.
Once you apply, your application will be automatically renewed for subsequent years as long as there are no changes in eligibility, so be sure to complete your application this year. Please apply now on the Bokjiro website or at your community center starting in late May.
Benefits Disappear After Moving? 3 Golden Rules to Not Miss Energy Voucher Benefits
For the Energy Voucher, ‘management’ is as important as applying. Especially when moving or experiencing changes in household members, you can easily miss out on valuable benefits if you’re not careful. You must remember these three ‘golden rules’:
- Re-apply when moving is a golden rule: Energy Voucher benefits are deducted based on the electricity customer number of your residence. If you move, your existing customer number becomes invalid, so you must re-apply at the community center where you registered your new address within 14 days (maximum 30 days) of moving. Forgetting this can lead to permanent suspension of benefits.
- No retroactivity, use within the period is essential: Retroactive payment of the Energy Voucher is absolutely impossible. If you miss the application period, you cannot receive that year’s support funds. Also, the summer voucher balance automatically expires after September 30th, so you must use enough for cooling costs before summer ends.
- Check automatic renewal conditions: Once applied, if there are no changes in eligibility, support is automatically renewed for subsequent years without a separate application. However, if there are changes in income criteria or household member characteristics, you must re-check and re-apply if necessary.
If you are planning to move, you must check the re-application procedure.
The 2026 Energy Voucher is more than just support funds; it’s an important welfare benefit that ensures a cool summer and warm winter for your family. If you don’t act now, you’ll miss out on benefits you could receive. Don’t put it off because it seems complicated. Call the Energy Voucher Call Center (1600-3190) or apply now on the Bokjiro website. One small action can be a great help to your household.