Free Basic Electricity in South Africa
The Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme provides 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity free of charge every month to qualifying low-income households. This guide explains who qualifies, how to register, and how the free units are delivered to your prepaid meter.
50 kWh per month is enough to power LED lighting for approximately 8 hours a day, charge mobile phones, and run a small television for a few hours each day.
What Is Free Basic Electricity?
Free Basic Electricity is a government programme administered by South African municipalities. It is designed to ensure that the poorest households have access to a minimum amount of electricity for basic needs such as lighting, cooking, and charging phones.
Qualifying households receive 50 kWh per month at no cost. This is loaded onto the household's prepaid meter automatically each month, or as a credit on a conventional metered account.
Who Qualifies for Free Basic Electricity?
To qualify for Free Basic Electricity you must be registered on your municipality's indigent register. Generally, households that earn less than R3,500 per month (combined household income) qualify as indigent.
Individual municipalities may set their own income thresholds, so check with your local municipality for the exact qualifying criteria in your area.
- Household earns less than R3,500 per month (may vary by municipality)
- The property must be used for residential purposes
- The applicant must be the registered consumer or account holder for electricity
- The household must be connected to the formal electricity grid
- Pensioners and disability grant recipients often automatically qualify
How to Register for Free Basic Electricity
- Visit your local municipal offices and ask for the indigent register application form.
- Complete the form with details of all household members and their income.
- Attach a certified copy of your South African ID or passport.
- Attach proof of income (payslips, SASSA grant letters, or an affidavit if unemployed).
- Attach proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit).
- Submit the completed form to the municipality's customer services department.
- The municipality will assess your application, which may include a home visit.
- If approved, your FBE will be activated within 30 days.
How Free Units Are Loaded onto Your Meter
Once approved, the municipality loads 50 kWh onto your prepaid meter each month. This is done either automatically (the municipality sends a token to your meter remotely) or you may need to collect a free token from a designated point.
Some municipalities issue a free token that you collect from their offices or via a vendor on a specific day each month. Ask your municipality how FBE is distributed in your area.
What Happens If You Use More Than 50 kWh?
The 50 kWh FBE is the free allocation only. If you use more electricity than this allocation, you will need to purchase additional units at the standard prepaid tariff rate.
Efficient use of electricity can help you stay within the free allocation. Consider using energy-saving LED bulbs, limiting use of high-consumption appliances such as geysers and electric stoves, and switching off appliances when not in use.
Providing false information on an indigent application is a criminal offence. Households found to be fraudulently claiming FBE will be removed from the register and may face prosecution.
Renewing Your Indigent Registration
Indigent registration does not last indefinitely. Most municipalities require annual renewal to confirm that you still meet the qualifying criteria. The municipality will notify you when your registration is due for renewal.
Failure to renew will result in your FBE being suspended. Keep your contact details updated with the municipality to receive renewal notices.