Eskom has issued a reminder to qualifying indigent households to claim their limited free electricity under the government’s Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme.
The FBE is a longstanding initiative that forms part of government’s policy of providing support to the unemployed, low-earning, the destitute and the elderly.
FBE provides a maximum of 50 or 60 kiloWatt hours (kWh) per month of free electricity to qualifying low income households.
This amount of electricity is generally considered enough to run basic lighting, provide basic media access, basic ironing and to boil water using an electric kettle.
Customers who qualify for FBE are urged to approach their municipality and register to receive their free allocation. Once registered with the municipality, the customer’s details are loaded on the Eskom system and the customer will be credited with free electricity tokens every month.
These free tokens must be used during the month in which they are issued, as they expire. When the free tokens have been used, the customer will need to buy additional units.
Eskom supplied customers who wish to ascertain whether they qualify for the FBE benefit can visit their municipal office for more information, or ask their Ward Councillor or Community Development Worker.
They can also contact Eskom on 0860 037 566.
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