The energy voucher
Being unable to heat your home in winter is a survival issue. Check the energy voucher.
What it is
Support for vulnerable households with electricity, city gas, district heating, kerosene, briquettes and LPG costs. It is deducted from bills automatically or provided as a card.
Eligibility looks at both income criteria (such as basic livelihood recipients) and household characteristics (older people, infants, people with disabilities, pregnant women, people with serious illness).
Amounts and criteria change each year. Always check with your community centre or the energy voucher website.
Steps
- Check the application period. Summer and winter vouchers have set windows.
- Apply at your local community service centre. Online application is sometimes possible.
- Support is decided after eligibility checks.
- Use it as a bill deduction or via card.
What to prepare
- Alien Registration Card
- Documents on benefit eligibility where applicable
- Household documents
- Utility bills (customer number)
Where to go
- Your local community service centre
- Energy Voucher www.energyv.or.kr · 1600-3190
- 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
Can foreigners receive it? Since eligibility rests on things like basic livelihood recipient status, it depends on your residence status. Check your own case with your community centre and 129.
I missed the application period. You may have to wait for the next one. But if you face heating being cut off now, ask 129 about emergency welfare support immediately.
What can I use it on? Specified energy sources — electricity, gas, heating. Check the guidance for details.
I have arrears. Separately from the voucher, you can ask each provider about instalments. See utility-bills.
Take care
Never use candles or makeshift heaters when electricity or gas is off. These are the leading causes of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. If you cannot heat your home, call 129 first.
Related
utility-discount · utility-bills · winter-support · emergency-welfare
Source
Korea Energy Agency, Energy Voucher www.energyv.or.kr / As of 2026-08