Quick Answer
Last Verified: July 2026
To check eligibility or claim your monthly Free Basic Electricity (FBE) token via USSD in South Africa, dial *120*4885#. Alternative direct USSD routes available in select regions or through participating vending partners include *130*869# or *130*269#.
USSD access depends on whether your local municipality or electricity distributor (such as Eskom, City Power, eThekwini, or KwaDukuza) supports automated mobile vending gateways. You must be pre-registered on your municipality’s Indigent Register to receive a token. If the USSD service is down or unsupported in your area, you can retrieve your token at an official electricity vending terminal (like local retail pay-points or supermarkets) or via Eskom’s official self-service channels.
What the Service Is and Who Can Use It
Free Basic Electricity (FBE) is a South African national government initiative designed to support low-income households by providing a monthly allocation of electricity (typically 50 kWh) at no cost.
Who Can Use It
- Registered Indigent Households: Property owners or tenants whose combined household income falls below their local municipality’s threshold and are listed on the municipal Indigent Register.
- Eskom Direct Low-Consumption Customers: Prepaid customers on 20-Amp supply configurations or qualifying Homelight tariffs who meet consumption-based criteria set by Eskom.
- Prepaid Meter Holders: Beneficiaries must have a functional, valid prepaid meter registered under the qualifying property.
Exclusions
- Postpaid/conventional billing meters (unless credited directly on a monthly municipal statement).
- Households earning above the municipal indigent income threshold.
- Households that have already claimed their FBE allocation for the current calendar month.
How to Access Free Basic Electricity
Before You Start
- Locate Your Meter Number: Note down your 11-digit or 13-digit prepaid meter number from your meter box or Keypad Customer Interface Unit (CIU).
- Confirm Registration Status: Ensure your household is approved on your municipality’s Indigent Register.
- Check Month Status: FBE tokens are released on the 1st of every calendar month and do not carry over. Ensure you have not claimed this month’s token yet.
Verified Step-by-Step Process
- Dial the USSD Code: Open your phone’s keypad and dial
*120*4885#(or*130*869#/*130*269#). - Select FBE Service: Select Option 1 (or the menu item labeled FBE Token / Free Basic Electricity).
- Enter Meter Details: Type your 11-digit or 13-digit prepaid meter number when prompted and submit.
- Receive Your Token: If eligible, a 20-digit electricity token will be displayed on your screen and sent via SMS.
- Load the Token: Type the 20-digit token into your prepaid meter keypad at home to credit your unit balance.
Confirmation or Expected Result
- Successful Claim: You will receive a 20-digit token number confirming the free units added (e.g., 50 kWh).
- Already Claimed: If you already retrieved your benefit for the current month, the system displays: “Allocation already claimed for this month.”
- Not Qualifying / Meter Not Flagged: The system displays: “Meter not found on indigent database” or “Ineligible for FBE.”
Recovery Route: If you receive an SMS showing airtime or VAS charges but no token message arrives, check your SMS inbox history or re-query the USSD service. If the issue persists, present your meter number at a local municipal customer care office or retail vendor terminal to pull the current month’s token log.
Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times
| Feature | Standard Rule / Details |
| Token Cost | R0.00 (Free Basic Electricity token itself carries no charge). |
| USSD Session Fee | Standard network VAS/USSD session rates apply (typically 20c per 20 seconds for *120* codes; *130* codes are generally zero-rated/free depending on network). |
| Monthly Unit Limit | 50 kWh per household per month (varies between 25–75 kWh depending on municipal policy). |
| Frequency Limit | 1 token per month per registered meter. |
| Rollover / Accumulation | No rollover. Unclaimed tokens expire at the end of the calendar month and are forfeited. |
| Processing Time | Instant (typically generated within 30–60 seconds). |
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors
- “Session Timed Out”: USSD sessions expire quickly. Have your meter number written down beforehand so you can enter it immediately.
- “Connection Error or Invalid MMI Code”: Indicates network congestion or temporary downtime on the mobile gateway. Wait 5 minutes and try dialing again.
- Dual-SIM Issues: If dialing fails, ensure your primary SIM with airtime (for
*120*codes) is selected as the default SIM for calls and USSD.
When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable
- Meter Not Flagged: If you are registered but receive an error stating your meter is not flagged, your municipal indigent database may need updating. Visit your municipal offices with your ID and meter number to verify registration.
- Unsupported Municipality: Certain local councils do not connect their prepaid database to public USSD systems. You can collect your monthly FBE token at any retail store terminal (e.g., Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer) when checking out.
- Key Revision / Meter Recoding Issues: If your meter displays an error when entering the token, ensure your meter key revision (KRN) has been updated.
Official Alternatives
If the USSD channel is unresponsive or unavailable for your municipality, use these official options:
- In-Store Retail Vendors: Present your prepaid meter number at authorized electricity vendors (supermarkets, spaza shops with vending terminals, or municipal pay points) and request your monthly FBE token.
- Eskom WhatsApp Chatbot: Save 08600 37566 on WhatsApp to interact with Eskom’s self-service assistant for token and service queries.
- Municipal Customer Care Offices: Visit your local municipal billing office or indigent desk to check your application status or request manual token issuing.
- Eskom Call Centre: Call 08600 37566 for Eskom-supplied areas.
Safety and Privacy
Warning: FBE tokens are funded by government programs. You should never be charged a service fee, administration charge, or bribe by any individual or agent offering to “activate” or “increase” your free units.
- Never Share Sensitive Credentials: Official USSD codes only ask for your 11/13-digit meter number. Do not enter your banking PIN, OTPs, or full identity details into unverified third-party USSD menus or online forms.
- Uncertified Third-Party Agents: Avoid social media groups or individuals claiming to sell FBE tokens at a discount. Tokens are generated strictly through official municipal/Eskom vending engines.
- Report Fraud: Report any unauthorized fees or fraudulent activity to your local municipality or call the SAPS / Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current FBE USSD Code?
The standard USSD code to request an FBE token is *120*4885#. Regional or distributor-specific alternatives include *130*869# and *130*269#.
Who qualifies for Free Basic Electricity?
Low-income households registered on their municipality’s Indigent Register, as well as qualifying Eskom-supplied prepaid households meeting specific low-consumption criteria (e.g., 20-Amp supply).
Which meter details are needed?
You need your valid 11-digit or 13-digit prepaid electricity meter number.
When is the allocation issued?
FBE allocations are issued on the 1st calendar day of every month. Uncollected units do not roll over to the following month.
What should I do if the FBE USSD route does not work?
If the USSD route fails, take your meter number to an official retail vending counter (e.g., Shoprite, Pick n Pay) or municipal customer care centre to claim your token over the counter. Eskom direct customers can also contact the Eskom WhatsApp line at 08600 37566.