- Qualifying households usually get 50 units of free electricity and 6,000 litres of free water each month, and some give more.
- Nothing is automatic. Register as an indigent household at your municipal office with your ID, proof of address and proof of income.
The government sets aside R21 billion a year so poor households can get free electricity. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said, during a media briefing in September, too many of them never see it, because municipalities move the money to other spending.
He said a new system to pay households directly is being designed with Eskom. Until it is ready, you have to ask for the benefit yourself.
Nothing is automatic. You must register with your municipality as an indigent household. That is the word for a household that cannot afford to pay for basic services.
Qualifying households usually get 50 units of electricity and 6,000 litres of water free every month. That is enough for lights, a kettle, a phone charger and a small TV. Some municipalities give more. Tshwane gives 100 units, George gives 80 and eThekwini gives 65 to homes that use under 150 units a month.
To apply, go to your municipal customer care office and ask for the indigent application form. Take your ID, your meter or account number and proof of where you live. Most municipalities also want proof of income, such as a SASSA grant letter. Some ask for bank statements or a sworn affidavit.
Each municipality sets its own income limit and its own rules, so phone first and ask what to bring. Also ask whether your free units load onto your prepaid meter by themselves or whether you must collect a token each month. Ask when you must renew too, because indigent status does not last forever.
If you use more than your free units, you buy the rest as usual.
