Eskom’s New Free Units for SASSA Beneficiaries – July 2025 Loadshedding Relief Plan Finally Live!

Loadshedding Relief Plan – In a major relief for low-income South Africans, Eskom has officially launched its July 2025 Loadshedding Relief Plan, offering free electricity units to SASSA beneficiaries across the country. With rising electricity prices and ongoing power cuts, this initiative aims to ease the financial and emotional strain on vulnerable households. As winter peaks and energy needs soar, many families depending on SASSA grants—such as the SRD R370, Child Support, Older Persons, and Disability Grants—will now receive a set number of free electricity units every month under Eskom’s Free Basic Electricity (FBE) program. This new initiative has been rolled out as part of Eskom’s wider strategy to support energy-insecure households during load shedding and address the challenges faced by grant recipients living below the poverty line. Eskom, in partnership with local municipalities and prepaid electricity vendors, has made the process of accessing these free units more streamlined in July 2025, with automatic top-ups linked to grant ID numbers and registered prepaid meters. Let’s break down who qualifies, how many units are being offered, how to claim them, and why this matters right now.

Who Qualifies for Loadshedding Relief Plan in July 2025?

This section explains the criteria set by Eskom to determine eligibility for the FBE scheme.

  • Must be a registered SASSA beneficiary (any active grant).
  • Must reside in an area served directly by Eskom or via local municipalities enrolled in the program.
  • Must use a prepaid electricity meter registered with the correct ID and address.
  • Households must consume less than 350 kWh of electricity per month.
  • Only one household per grant ID is eligible for the monthly allocation.
  • Registered indigent households may qualify even without a SASSA grant.

List of SASSA Grants That Qualify for Loadshedding Relief Plan

Beneficiaries receiving any of the following grants are eligible:

  • Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 Grant
  • Child Support Grant (R530 per child)
  • Older Persons Grant (R2,180+)
  • Disability Grant
  • Foster Child Grant
  • Grant-in-Aid
  • War Veterans Grant

How Many Loadshedding Relief Plan Will Be Given in July 2025?

Eskom is offering a fixed number of free units depending on your location and household classification. These free units are meant to cover essential usage during winter.

  • Urban households: Up to 50 kWh per month
  • Rural households: Up to 60 kWh per month
  • Deep rural/Remote areas: Up to 75 kWh per month
  • Additional bonus units in July: 20 kWh extra (winter load relief)
  • Total possible: Up to 95 kWh this month

Eskom Free Units by Region – July 2025

Region Normal Units Winter Bonus Total Units Type Delivery Method
Gauteng (Urban) 50 kWh 20 kWh 70 kWh Prepaid Auto Top-up
Limpopo (Rural) 60 kWh 20 kWh 80 kWh Prepaid SMS Voucher
Eastern Cape 60 kWh 15 kWh 75 kWh Prepaid Local Vendor Collection
Northern Cape 75 kWh 20 kWh 95 kWh Prepaid Eskom Portal
KwaZulu-Natal 60 kWh 20 kWh 80 kWh Prepaid Auto Top-up
Free State 50 kWh 20 kWh 70 kWh Prepaid Eskom SMS
Mpumalanga 60 kWh 20 kWh 80 kWh Prepaid Vendor Code
North West 60 kWh 20 kWh 80 kWh Prepaid Local Vendor

How to Claim the Free Electricity Units – Step-by-Step

Eskom has simplified the claiming process for July 2025 with auto top-up options and voucher redemption. Here’s how to claim your units:

  • Make sure your SASSA grant is active and your ID is linked to your electricity meter.
  • Check if your area qualifies for auto-top up or manual voucher redemption.
  • Dial 130869# from your mobile (Eskom FBE USSD).
  • Follow the prompts to receive your free electricity token via SMS.
  • Alternatively, visit a local vendor with your ID and prepaid meter number.
  • Some municipalities may deliver vouchers directly or load automatically on your meter.

What If You Don’t Receive the Free Units?

If you’re eligible but didn’t receive your units:

  • Contact Eskom customer service at 08600 37566.
  • Visit your nearest SASSA office with proof of grant and prepaid meter details.
  • Re-check that your prepaid meter is registered to your correct ID and home address.
  • Some municipalities require registration for indigent support—apply if needed.

Additional Benefits and July 2025 Special Bonus Units

Eskom is offering special winter relief with an extra 20 kWh bonus in July. This is in response to load shedding disruptions and higher power use.

  • Available only during July 2025.
  • Applies to households consuming under 350 kWh/month.
  • No additional application needed for bonus units.
  • Will be auto-loaded or provided via SMS depending on your region.

Bonus Units for Areas With Stage 5+ Loadshedding

Special bonus units are being allocated to areas with the most severe blackouts:

  • 10 kWh extra for Stage 5
  • 15 kWh extra for Stage 6+
  • Delivery through top-up vendors or Eskom mobile tokens
  • Available only from 15–25 July 2025

Important Reminders for SASSA Beneficiaries

Some key tips to make sure you don’t miss out on your Eskom relief:

  • Always update your mobile number with Eskom and SASSA.
  • Never buy prepaid tokens from unofficial vendors.
  • Free units expire monthly—use them within 30 days.
  • Units are non-transferable and cannot be sold.

How to Check Balance and Usage on Your Prepaid Meter

Managing your electricity wisely can make your free units last longer:

  • Press 07 or 801 on your prepaid meter to check balance.
  • Use 130869# to get unit summary on your mobile.
  • Monitor usage daily to avoid sudden blackouts.
  • Turn off geysers, heaters, and unnecessary appliances during peak hours.

Tips to Stretch Free Units in Winter

Appliance Usage per Hour Recommended Use Daily Limit (suggested)
Electric Heater 2.0 kWh Only at night Max 2 hrs
Geyser 3.5 kWh Morning & Night 1–2 hrs
Kettle 1.2 kWh Once per meal 3 times/day
TV 0.2 kWh Off during day 4 hrs max
Lights (LED) 0.01 kWh Use energy savers Unlimited
Fridge 1.0 kWh Always on Maintain at mid-setting
Microwave 1.5 kWh Only when needed 10 min/use
Mobile Charging 0.01 kWh Night only 1 hour

This Eskom July 2025 Loadshedding Relief Plan is a major boost for millions of SASSA households struggling with electricity costs. By offering up to 95 kWh of free power, the government and Eskom are aiming to ensure basic energy needs are met during the coldest month of the year. Beneficiaries should act quickly to register, confirm eligibility, and redeem their units before the deadline.

FAQs of Loadshedding Relief Plan

Q1: Do I need to apply every month to get free units?
No. If you’re registered and eligible, the units will be auto-loaded or made available each month.

Q2: What if I don’t have a prepaid meter?
Unfortunately, this program only works through prepaid meters. You must switch to prepaid to qualify.

Q3: Can I get free units and also buy more units?
Yes. Free units will load first. After that, you can buy additional units as needed.

Q4: What is the last date to claim the July 2025 bonus units?
All free units for July must be claimed or used by 31 July 2025.

Q5: Do the bonus units roll over to August?
No. Units expire monthly and cannot be carried forward.

Q6: What if I receive more than one SASSA grant?
The benefit applies per household, not per grant. So even if you receive multiple grants, you only get one set of free units.

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