Seoul City and Energy Corporation Provide Emergency Support of Up to 592,000 KRW for District Heating Costs for Vulnerable Groups

Special On-site Safety Inspection and Consulting Until the End of March

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Energy Corporation announced on the 14th that they will provide emergency support of up to 592,000 KRW for district heating fees (total for January to April) during the winter season to accompany energy-vulnerable groups who are struggling through the winter in energy welfare blind spots.

Existing energy voucher recipients in the district heating supply area (average 304,000 KRW per household) will receive an additional support of up to 288,000 KRW, while non-energy voucher recipients (basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income groups) will receive an additional support of up to 552,000 KRW on top of the existing 40,000 KRW support. (Heating fee deduction method)

In addition, for those already eligible for district heating fee reductions such as persons with disabilities, multi-child families, and national merit recipients, the reduction rate will be temporarily doubled for the period from January to April.

Since 2008, the city and the corporation have been implementing basic fee reductions for rental apartments under 60㎡ and social welfare facilities, as well as a 10% discount on usage fees for rental apartments. They have also been supporting district heating fees for socially considerate groups such as basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income groups, persons with disabilities, and multi-child families.

Furthermore, to ensure that eligible recipients do not miss out on benefits due to lack of knowledge about application procedures and methods, active guidance will be provided through management offices, and promotions will be conducted via the corporation’s website and social media (SNS).

Meanwhile, since February 7, Seoul Energy Corporation has been conducting on-site safety inspections and consultations (consulting) to improve heating efficiency in apartments within the supply area.

The city and the corporation stated, “We hope this district heating fee support will help alleviate the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups struggling with soaring energy prices, and we will do our best to provide a more stable energy supply through equipment efficiency improvements.”