Jung-gu Discovers 1,507 Households in Energy Welfare Blind Spots

Jung-gu Helps 1,507 Energy-Vulnerable Residents Apply for Electricity Bill Reductions and Other Discounts Throughout February

Utilizing the Social Security Information System, Individually Contacting Households Missing Discount Applications

Recognized as a Proactive Administrative Case for Groups Unable to Utilize Existing Programs

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul

Seoul’s Jung-gu District Office (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) conducted an intensive inspection throughout February, identifying 1,507 residents in the energy welfare blind spots and connecting them to welfare services.

Amid rising heating and electricity costs in January and growing concerns for households vulnerable to cold waves, Jung-gu took proactive measures to find cases where residents were unaware of or unable to utilize heating cost reduction programs despite their availability.

Discounts available for basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups include gas, electricity, telecommunications, and TV license fees. The discount rates vary depending on household size and benefit type, with electricity bills discounted up to 20,000 KRW per month and city gas bills temporarily discounted up to 592,000 KRW (from December 2022 to March 2023).

Except for special cases such as multi-child families and various merit recipients, energy discount applications can be submitted collectively at local community service centers, but many miss out due to lack of awareness about the programs and application procedures.

To identify households missing discount applications, Jung-gu utilized the Next Generation Happiness Link, a social security information system. They identified 5,259 households with one or more missing discount service applications, and community center staff contacted each household individually to guide and assist with the application process. If direct application was difficult, the community centers applied on their behalf.

As a result, new discount applications were secured for 464 electricity bills, 430 gas bills, and 639 telecommunications and TV license fees. Additionally, 295 households eligible for energy vouchers but who had not applied were discovered and assisted with their applications.

During the intensive inspection period, visits to provide heating cost discount application guidance also uncovered households in urgent need of help, enabling the continuation of welfare services. One such household included a father suffering from alcohol addiction and a daughter in her 30s with mental illness, living in poor housing conditions with long-overdue electricity bills.

The local community center supported the unpaid bills through energy vouchers and Seoul-type emergency support, and deployed the Care SOS housing convenience service to carry out disinfection work. Going forward, Jung-gu plans to provide its own home repair services, including mold removal and wallpaper and flooring installation.

Mayor Kim Gil-seong of Jung-gu said, “It is very unfortunate when vulnerable groups cannot utilize existing programs.” He added, “The proactive administration undertaken by Jung-gu this time will be recognized as a model case for discovering welfare blind spots.” Furthermore, he stated, “Jung-gu will continue to mobilize all resources and capabilities to reduce welfare blind spots.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.