Seongdong-gu Reduces Heating and Cooling Cost Burden for Vulnerable Groups

Energy Voucher Support of 367,000 KRW
Support vouchers for selective purchase and use of electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, etc., to ensure a cool summer and warm winter... Support amount increased by 20,000 KRW compared to last year, voucher usage period extended by 1 month, usable until May 25 next year

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) provides energy vouchers to reduce the burden of heating and cooling costs for vulnerable groups.

The energy voucher program supports vulnerable groups by providing vouchers that can be used to selectively purchase electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, and other energy sources, allowing them to get through summer and winter without worrying about heating and cooling expenses.

The support targets households that are recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security under the 'National Basic Livelihood Security Act' and meet specific household member criteria. The criteria include households where the applicant or a household member is ▲65 years or older ▲a child under 7 years old ▲a person with a disability ▲a pregnant woman ▲a patient with severe, rare, or intractable diseases ▲a single-parent family ▲or a youth-headed household (including children under foster care).

This year, the program has been expanded to increase the support amount and usage period for user convenience.

The average support amount per household, which was 347,000 KRW last year (43,000 KRW for summer, 304,000 KRW for winter), has been raised to 367,000 KRW this year (53,000 KRW for summer, 314,000 KRW for winter).

The usage period for the energy vouchers has also been extended by about one month, from April 30 to May 25 of next year.

Eligible recipients can choose to receive support either by automatic deduction from electricity, city gas, or district heating bills, or by freely paying for their preferred energy source using the National Happiness Card.

Summer vouchers can be used from July 1 to September 30, and winter vouchers from October to May 25 of the following year. Up to 45,000 KRW of the winter voucher can be used in advance during the summer. Additionally, any remaining balance from the summer voucher will automatically roll over to the winter period without a separate application.

Applications can be made by visiting the local community service center in the applicant’s residential area. If visiting in person is difficult, applications can be submitted online through the Bokjiro website until December 31.

Seongdong-gu supported 5,364 households in 2022 and 5,618 households in 2023, and this year will actively identify eligible recipients in cooperation with local community centers to ensure more residents benefit without any blind spots.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "I hope residents can reduce their heating and cooling cost burdens and stay healthy through active use of the energy vouchers. We will continue to carefully monitor to prevent any blind spots among energy-vulnerable groups."