Free Electricity For Pensioners: What Joburg, Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria Offer
- South African pensioners and low-income households may qualify for Free Basic Electricity, a government benefit introduced in 2003
- Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa estimated that around 10 million households could qualify nationally, but only 2 million are registered
- The amount of free electricity varies by municipality, with different income thresholds and application requirements in each city
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
SOUTH AFRICA - Millions of South African pensioners and low-income households may be entitled to free electricity every month without knowing it.
Free Basic Electricity (FBE) has been part of South Africa's social support landscape since 2003, designed to ensure that struggling households can access a minimum amount of electricity at no cost. Despite being over two decades old, the programme remains severely underused.
Eskom told Parliament in October 2025 that roughly 2.1 million households qualified for the benefit in its supply areas, yet fewer than 500,000 were actually receiving it. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa put the national picture into even starker relief in August 2026, estimating that approximately 10 million households could qualify while only about two million were registered.
Government has also signalled that it may increase the current allocation, which generally ranges between 50kWh and 200kWh per month depending on the municipality.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
How much free electricity each city offers
In Johannesburg, City Power offers qualifying households 50kWh per month. Applicants must earn below R7,800 per household, and registrations need to be renewed every 12 months.
eThekwini Municipality in Durban provides 65kWh monthly to households on its Scale 12 tariff, provided those households consume less than 150kWh of electricity per month in total.
Cape Town offers between 25kWh and 60kWh, depending on usage levels. SASSA grant recipients in the city must earn below R7,500 to qualify, and some pensioners may need to reapply following the city's most recent property valuation cycle.
Pretoria's City of Tshwane provides one of the more comprehensive packages, offering 100kWh of free electricity per month alongside 12 kilolitres of free water and a full municipal rates rebate for eligible households. Residents can apply through the city's e-Tshwane platform.
How to apply for the FBE benefit
Pensioners and other eligible residents should contact their municipality's indigent services office or use the relevant online portal to begin the process.
Most municipalities will ask applicants to bring a South African ID, their electricity meter or municipal account number, proof of income or a SASSA grant letter, three months of bank statements or an affidavit, and proof of residence.
Because requirements vary between municipalities, residents are advised to check with their local authority before applying to ensure they meet the specific criteria in their area.
Recipients of the SASSA Older Persons Grant were among those originally prioritised for this support, making it especially important that pensioners in qualifying households are aware of what may be available to them.
Cape Town pensioners could qualify for municipal bill rebate
Briefly News also reported that Cape Town pensioners and social grant recipients faced a strict 31 August 2026 deadline to renew their municipal rates rebate.The urgency follows the City of Cape Town's latest General Valuation cycle, which triggered a renewal process for existing rebate holders. Residents who applied before 1 July 2026 are in the clear, as their benefits will be backdated to that date once approved.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
