Free electricity could jump from 50kWh to 300kWh. Here's how to qualify

Government is weighing a big jump in free basic electricity, from 50kWh a month per qualifying household to between 200kWh and 300kWh. Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed the idea in a written reply to Parliament, but stressed it is "a proposal for consideration and is not yet an implemented entitlement" (IOL).

For now, nothing changes. Qualifying households still get 50kWh a month, and you only get it if you are on your municipality's indigent register.

What exactly is being proposed?

The increase is part of the revised electricity pricing policy, which Cabinet approved for public comment on 29 July 2026. Comments closed on 28 October 2026 after the minister extended the deadline (IOL).

The department will now go through the submissions, make changes, take the policy to Nedlac and then send the final version to Cabinet. Ramokgopa said he could not give a date for final approval (IOL).

Sources: IOL, Eskom

Why is government looking at this?

Many poor households are missing out. Data reported by the Cape Argus showed only about 1.7 million of roughly 2.8 million identified indigent households were getting free basic electricity (IOL).

The minister blamed gaps in identifying and registering households, weak municipal capacity and indigent registers that are run differently from place to place. He also said some municipalities used National Treasury money meant for free electricity on other priorities (IOL).

How many homes would benefit from a bigger allocation has not been worked out. The department says that depends on who is finally registered and how the plan is funded (IOL).

What can you do with 50kWh?

Government says 50kWh is meant to cover basic lighting, boiling water in a kettle, basic ironing and a small TV and radio (gov.za). A family running a geyser, stove or fridge will use it up quickly.

The free units are loaded on the 1st of every month. Prepaid users can see when they run out and then have to buy more. Households on conventional meters are billed for what they use, minus the free allocation (Eskom).

Who qualifies for free basic electricity?

Only indigent households qualify, meaning households that can show they cannot afford to pay and earn below a set amount. Each municipality sets its own income limit and rules in its indigent policy (Eskom, gov.za).

In Cape Town, for example, a household earning R7,500 or less a month could qualify (City of Cape Town). Some municipalities give more than 50kWh by adding their own top-up (Eskom).

Eskom says households on 20 amp prepaid supply qualify under the policy, 60 amp prepaid customers can qualify if they are registered as indigent, and conventional customers using under 150kWh a month on average qualify (Eskom).

How do you register?

Apply at your municipality to be put on the indigent register. Gauteng residents can also use the province's online indigent application. Documents asked for in Gauteng include:

• your ID and birth certificates for the household
• a payslip not older than three months, or a stamped affidavit if you are unemployed
• three months of bank statements
• your municipal account and a prepaid electricity token from your home
• a SASSA letter and card if you get a grant (applying does not affect your grant)

Source: Gauteng indigent register

Municipalities check applications against records such as SARS and Home Affairs. In Mangaung, approved applicants get an SMS and should allow up to seven working days for the free units to be activated (Mangaung).

How do you claim your free units?

Once you are registered, Eskom customers can claim the free token by dialling 130869# or 130269#. You don't need to buy electricity first to claim it (Eskom). If you buy from your municipality, ask it how its free units are issued.