Korea’s Energy Voucher 2026: How the Winter Heating Subsidy Works, Who Qualifies and How Much
Information as of October 14, 2026.
Summary: South Korea’s energy voucher (energy baucheo) is a government subsidy that helps vulnerable, low-income households pay for heating and cooling. The Korea Energy Agency, a state body under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, says winter use of the 2026 voucher began on October 1. Eligible households can apply until December 31. Support ranges from KRW 295,200 to KRW 701,300 a year depending on household size. (Korea Energy Agency, Korea.kr)
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Applications open |
| October 1, 2026 | Winter bill deduction (virtual card) starts |
| October 3, 2026 | Physical card (Kookmin Happiness Card) payments start |
| December 31, 2026 | Application deadline |
| May 31, 2027 | Use ends |
Sources: Korea.kr, Korea Energy Agency, Wikitree
Who qualifies
The voucher is not for everyone with high heating bills. A household must meet both conditions:
- It receives at least one of the four benefits under Korea’s National Basic Livelihood Security system, the country’s main means-tested welfare programme: livelihood, medical, housing or education benefit.
- The applicant or a household member is in one of these groups: aged 65 or over; a preschool child aged 7 or under; a person with a disability; a pregnant woman; a person with a serious, rare or serious intractable disease; a single-parent family; a child-headed household (including children in foster care); or a multi-child family (a parent plus two or more children under 19).
(Korea Energy Agency, Inknews)
Foreign residents: none of the official notices or reports used here say whether foreign nationals can receive the voucher. Because eligibility depends on receiving Basic Livelihood Security benefits, foreign residents should ask their local community centre or the voucher helpline (1600-3190) whether they qualify.
How much
| Household size | Total annual support |
|---|---|
| 1 person | KRW 295,200 |
| 2 people | KRW 407,500 |
| 3 people | KRW 532,700 |
| 4 or more | KRW 701,300 |
These are totals for the whole period, not monthly payments. From this year, summer and winter amounts are combined, so anything left over from summer can go towards winter heating. (Korea.kr, Korea Energy Agency, Inknews) The Korea Energy Agency release gives only the KRW 295,200 to 701,300 range; the 2- and 3-person amounts come from the ministry’s notice on Korea.kr and Inknews.
How to use it
- Virtual card (bill deduction): choose one of electricity, city gas or district heating, and the amount is taken off your bill automatically.
- Physical card (Kookmin Happiness Card, a government benefit card): pay directly for electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG or coal briquettes (yeontan).
You can switch methods at your local community centre any time before May 31, 2027. (Korea Energy Agency, Korea.kr)
How to apply
Apply in person at your local community centre (haengjeong bokji senteo, the neighbourhood administrative welfare centre) or online through Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr), the government welfare portal. People with limited mobility can apply through a representative, or a public official can apply on their behalf. The Korea Energy Agency is also expanding its home-visit service for households that haven’t used their vouchers, from 59,000 to 122,000 households (based on budget). (Korea.kr, Korea Energy Agency, Wikitree)
FAQ
Can anyone with high heating bills get it?
No. You must receive a Basic Livelihood Security benefit and have a household member in one of the listed groups.
Do I get KRW 701,300 every month?
No. That is the total for the whole period of use, July 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027. (Korea.kr, Inknews)
Is there help in English?
The sources don’t say. The official helpline is 1600-3190, and more information is on the voucher website (energyv.or.kr). (Korea Energy Agency, Korea.kr)
Korean version: https://haesul.com/energy-voucher-winter-2026-eligibility-amount/
This article summarises public government information and news reports. It is not individual eligibility advice. Check your eligibility with your local community centre or the energy voucher helpline (1600-3190). Written by the Haesul Global economy desk with AI assistance.
Sources
- Korea Energy Agency, Sept 30, 2026, “에너지바우처로 따뜻한 겨울 준비하세요” (Prepare for a warm winter with the energy voucher), press release, https://www.energy.or.kr/front/board/View3.do?boardMngNo=3&boardNo=10025025 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
- Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment via Korea.kr, June 17, 2026, “6월 15일부터 에너지바우처 신청하세요!” (Apply for the energy voucher from June 15), https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148966678 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
- Inknews, Oct 1, 2026, “동절기 에너지바우처 사용 시작…4인 이상 세대 총 70만1300원”, https://www.inknews.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2810 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
- Wikitree, Oct 1, 2026, “동절기 에너지바우처 사용 시작… 잔액조회·사용처 알아둬야”, https://www.wikitree.co.kr/articles/1163204 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
