How do I get free electricity during lockdown in South Africa?
John Thompson
Published Apr 26, 2026
Recipients of FBE tokens simply dial *130*869# to receive the electricity that is due to them. Please note that municipalities may have different criteria for qualification for the Indigent and/or FBE tariff. If you can't complete the transaction, make enquiries to your specific utility or municipality.
Also, how do I claim my free unit of electricity?
STEP 1: Dial *120*321# on your cellphone. STEP 2: Dial 1 to select Prepaid. STEP 3: Dial 3 to select Electricity. STEP 4: Dial 2 to select Claim Free Basic Electricity (FBE).
Secondly, how do I claim Eskom free basic electricity? To claim the benefit, customers should visit their nearest vendor. Alternatively, USSD codes *130*869# or *130*269# are available to already configured customers to claim the benefit via a cell phone at no charge to the customer.
Additionally, how do you get free units on Eskom?
Most low-income households – in most municipalities – that consume less than 350 – 450 kWh of electricity per month qualify for Free Basic Electricity. The free electricity allocation is provided on the first day of every month. Eskom said some municipalities allocate 50 kWh while others give 100 kWh.
How do I register for free basic electricity?
To claim the benefit, customers should visit their nearest vendor. Alternatively, USSD codes *130*869# or *130*269# are available to already configured customers to claim the benefit via a cell phone at no charge to the customer.
Related Question Answers
How can I get free electricity for my home?
Generating Electricity at Home- Residential Solar Panels. Every ray of sunshine that lands on your roof is free electricity for the taking.
- Wind Turbines.
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How do I apply for FBE electricity?
How do I claim Free Basic Electricity (FBE)?- Dial string *130*269#
- Select FBE.
- Select NEW.
- Enter your Meter number.
- Confirm meter number.
- Click Dismiss, then SMS will be sent to you.
Who qualifies for FBE token?
While the criteria for the FBE is understood to differ between municipalities, Eskom told MyBroadband this week that to qualify for free basic electricity, households must earn R3,500 per month or less.How much electricity do you get for R100?
"Behind the scenes, it's changing the fixed costs. So if you normally use a R100 pay-as-go coupon, and let's say you got 50 units for your R100, under the new tariff structure, the fixed costs are going to be R75 out of your R100 and you will only get 30 units for your electricity."How do I find my lost electricity token?
How can I get my previously purchased Tokens? SMS "LAST ELEC" to 32904 to Receive an sms with your previous electricity tokens or Look up your previously purchased electricity tokens now by going to the check your last token page. sms's are charged at Standard VAS rates.How many units of electricity does an R1000 use?
R2,00 buys 1 kW, so R1000 will buy 434.78 kWh (VAT is first deducted before the units are issued).Can you cheat a smart meter?
Smart meters widely used in Spain can be hacked to under-report energy use, security researchers have found. Poorly protected credentials inside the devices could let attackers take control over the gadgets, warn the researchers.How do I get the most out of prepaid electricity?
Blom said to get the most out of your prepaid electricity, average users should pay for their 1,000 units on the first of the month. “If you pay for more than you need – such as a year's supply in a month – you will get ripped off second-to-none, as you will end up buying the most expensive blocks,†he said.How do I register my Eskom prepaid meter?
To register a meter, visit an Eskom office with the ID number of the person in whose name the meter is to be registered, the pole number of the pole feeding their home and if possible, the meter number of an immediate neighbour whose meter is registered on the system.How much free basic electricity is received by a household?
What amount of electricity will be considered as free basic electricity? The proposed levels of service are 50kWh per household per month for a grid-based system for qualifying domestic consumers, and 50Wp per non-grid connected supply system for all households connected to the official non-grid systems.How do I register my meter number in flash?
- Select FLASH on the machine.
- Select Electricity/Water menu.
- Select Eskom Blind Vend.
- Enter Meter Number.
- Select Amount or Enter Any Amount.
- Enter Supply Group Code – 6 Digits.
- Enter Tariff Index – 2 Digits.
- Enter Key Revision Number 1 Digit.
