Winter support

Korean winters are severe. Being unable to heat your home is a threat to life.

Check in advance

1. The energy voucher — winter heating support. Application periods are set, so check in autumn. See energy-voucher.
2. Whether you qualify for utility reductions — see utility-discount.
3. Emergency welfare fuel support — in a sudden crisis, 129.
4. Local government winter programmes — winter clothing, briquettes, heating oil. Ask your community centre.
5. Cold-wave shelter locations — community centres and senior centres are designated.

Check your home in advance

• Check the boiler works before winter.
• Prevent frozen pipes — during cold snaps let water trickle and wrap the meter box in old clothing.
• Insulate windows — plastic sheeting and draught strips cut heating costs substantially.
• Gas safety check — see utilities-setup.

Never do this

• Burning charcoal, briquettes or gas heaters in a sealed room — people die of carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Always ventilate.
• Covering electric blankets or heaters with bedding — a fire cause.
• Plugging several heaters into one multi-socket — overheating starts fires.

Where to go

• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre (24 hours, emergency support)
• Your local community service centre
• 1600-3190 Energy Voucher
• 119 fire and poisoning emergencies
• 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation

Questions people ask

I can't afford to run the boiler. Call 129 immediately. Winter heating can qualify for emergency welfare support. Don't just endure it.

My gas has been cut off. Contact both the gas company and 129. Pursue instalments and support schemes at the same time.

I have a headache and feel dizzy. This may be carbon monoxide poisoning. Open the windows, get outside, and call 119 immediately. Suspect it especially after sleeping with a heater on.

My water pipes have frozen. Don't pour boiling water on them. Thaw slowly with lukewarm water or a hairdryer; if that fails, ask the management office or local government.

Take care

Never burn briquettes, charcoal or portable gas heaters in an enclosed space. Carbon monoxide is odourless and kills people in their sleep. Always ventilate with any heater, and fit a carbon monoxide alarm if you can.

Related

energy-voucher · utility-discount · emergency-welfare · fire-emergency · utilities-setup

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare www.mohw.go.kr / As of 2026-08