에너지바우처 신청As a result of last month’s nationwide cold wave and rising energy prices, heating costs have risen significantly, increasing the burden on low-income households.
The government is expanding the scope of heating cost support and increasing the amount of support to ease the burden of heating costs on energy-vulnerable groups, but there are a number of households that do not receive the benefits. There were 130,000 vulnerable households that missed out on benefits last year. This is because they did not know that there was a heating cost support system or did not know how to apply, so they did not apply.
We looked at the heating cost support benefits and application methods that are only available upon application.
◆Heating cost support expanded to include the lowest income class.
To receive benefits for heating costs, you must first check whether you are eligible for support. Until now, only basic livelihood recipients (livelihood, medical, housing, and education benefits) who met both ‘income standards’ and ‘household member characteristics standards’ could receive energy vouchers.
Energy vouchers are a system that supports energy-vulnerable groups to purchase electricity, city gas, district heating, kerosene, LPG, and briquettes.
However, it has been pointed out that among those receiving basic livelihood security, there are many who do not receive energy vouchers, and that support for heating costs for the next-lowest class, who can be said to be potentially poor, is insufficient.
Accordingly, on the 1st, the government expanded the scope of support so that the lowest income class can also receive benefits as part of measures to provide additional heating cost support to protect the vulnerable during the winter.
The second-lowest class is a class slightly better than basic livelihood recipients, and refers to households earning less than 50% of the standard median income (KRW 2,700,482 for a four-person household in 2023).
◆Heating expenses, up to 592,000 won supported
If you are included in the heating cost subsidy, all recipients of basic livelihood security and the lowest income class can receive 592,000 won for heating costs this winter through this additional support. Heating costs are covered through gas bill discounts for a four-month winter period from December last year to March this year.
First, among basic livelihood recipients who do not receive energy vouchers because they do not meet the two conditions, recipients of livelihood and medical benefits will receive an additional 304,000 won in addition to the 288,000 won supported by the existing gas rate discount.
In addition, housing-type recipients will receive support of 448,000 won in addition to the existing 144,000 won, and education-type recipients will receive support of an additional 520,000 won on top of the existing 72,000 won. Everyone receives a discount of 592,000 won.
Those in the lower income bracket who do not receive energy vouchers will also receive an additional gas fee discount of 448,000 won in addition to the 144,000 won supported by the existing gas fee discount.
◆Heating bill application available in person or online
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