Special Support for Small Business Electricity Bills 2nd Application... Starts from the 4th

Up to 200,000 KRW Support if Requirements Are Met
Second Round Targets 'Non-Contract Users'

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 3rd that the second round of applications for the special electricity bill support program for small business owners will begin on the 4th.

An electric meter is installed in a commercial building in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

This program was temporarily established during the National Assembly review process last year to alleviate the burden on small business owners due to the realization of electricity rates. Eligible recipients are individual or corporate business owners who opened their business before 2023, are not closed as of the announcement date (February 15), have reported sales of 30 million KRW or less based on the 2022 or 2023 National Tax Service value-added tax filings, and bear business-use electricity charges (excluding residential use). Those confirmed as eligible can receive support of up to 200,000 KRW for their electricity bills.

The second round targets ‘non-contract users’ who use electricity without directly signing an electricity usage contract with Korea Electric Power Corporation and bear the cost afterward. Non-contract users have had difficulties in tracking electricity bill payments due to diverse payment methods, but the program will verify business-use electricity status and payment documents separately to provide reimbursements.

Eligible businesses can apply online. On the application start date, the 4th, applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to midnight; on the deadline, May 3rd, until 6 p.m.; and at other times, applications can be submitted 24 hours a day.

If online application is difficult, assistance is available by visiting one of the 77 regional centers of the Small Enterprise and Market Service. Detailed information about eligibility, procedures, and more can be found in the announcement on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups website.

Won Young-jun, Director of the Small Business Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “We have prepared the second round of this program to ensure that small business owners facing the most difficult situations in our society receive benefits without omission. We will guide the system through various methods such as online platforms and outdoor advertisements, while also ensuring prompt execution.”