Free Basic Electricity (FBE): am I eligible, and how do I apply?
FBE gives qualifying households 50–100 kWh per month for free. Eligibility and the application process differ by municipality. Here's a plain-English guide.
Free Basic Electricity: am I eligible, and how do I apply?
If your household earns below the indigent threshold for your municipality, you may qualify for Free Basic Electricity (FBE) — a monthly allocation of free kWh, usually between 50 and 100, depending on where you live.
Who normally qualifies
The detail differs by municipality, but the typical criteria are:
- South African ID, permanent resident or refugee permit. - Combined household income below a threshold (often around two old-age grants). - Registered as the account holder or occupant at the supply address. - Not owning more than one residential property.
How to apply
1. Find your municipality on our [tariff & municipality directory](/tariffs). 2. Use the Apply for FBE link on that page to download or open your municipality's indigent application form. 3. Submit at your nearest customer service centre with proof of income, ID, and proof of address. 4. After approval, FBE is loaded automatically each month onto your prepaid meter.
If you are on Eskom-direct supply, FBE is administered by Eskom on behalf of the municipality whose area you live in — you still need to be on that municipality's indigent register.
What to do if you've been approved but no FBE arrives
This is one of the most common complaints in South Africa. Use our [token troubleshooting guide](/troubleshoot) to find the correct escalation channel for your municipality, and keep your approval letter handy.