How To Register For Free Basic electricity In South Africa

Below is How To Register For Free Basic electricity In South Africa

Free basic municipal services are services provided at no charge by the Government to poor households.

The services currently include water and electricity.

These services are provided by municipalities and include a minimum amount of electricity, water, and sanitation that is sufficient to cater to the basic needs of a poor household. 

Only indigent households qualify for free basic services. Municipalities subject all applications to means tests to determine whether households meet the criteria set by the municipality to qualify for indigent status. Municipalities determine their own categories of subsidies. In some municipalities, households qualify for 100% subsidies while other qualify for less than 100% depending on the criteria set.

Free basic electricity
Free basic electricity of 50kWh per household per month for a grid-energy system (connected through the national electrification program) is provided. This amount of electricity will be enough to provide basic lighting, basic water heating using a kettle, basic ironing, and a small black and white TV and radio.

Users who have pre-paid electricity meters will be able to see when the free electricity is used up and will have to buy more electricity at their own expense.

Users with conventional or credit meters will not be able to see easily when they have used up their units. They will be charged for additional use at the end of each month.

Consumers who do not have access to grid electricity could be provided with non-grid electricity by their municipalities. You should contact your municipality to find out the type of alternative sources of energy provided.

How can I get free electricity units in South Africa?

On the first day of every month, users can claim their FBE.

All you need to do is dial *130*269# on your mobile phone. If you are verified to receive free services, you will receive the expected units.

Is there free electricity in South Africa?

In terms of the government’s FBE policy, qualifying indigent households may receive 50kWh of electricity free of charge per month. “Local government is the gatekeeper of the free basic services program (including FBE) and is the final arbiter of who can access these and who cannot.