Electricity is one of the more expensive yet crucial utilities in every household, which can be a burden to some of the lower-income customer base.

Through a Facebook post, Meralco reminded its member-consumers about the full implementation of the updated Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Lifeline Rate Discount Program since January 2024.

Here are the essential details you need to know about the Lifeline Rate.

Table of Contents

What is the Meralco Lifeline Rate?

The Lifeline Rate is Meralco’s subsidized rate for low-income end-users who cannot afford to pay the total amount, as defined in RA 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA). 

Basically, the Lifeline Rate is a discounted pricing for qualified users who consume no more than 100 kWh per month based on the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) criteria.

Who are qualified for the Meralco Lifeline Rate Program?

According to the Meralco’s Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) page, there are two general criteria to know if you’re eligible for the Lifeline Rate:

  • You’re a beneficiary of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) under RA 11310 or
  • You’re living below the poverty threshold, as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

If you meet the above qualifications of either being a 4Ps beneficiary or living below the poverty threshold (non-4Ps), you must first apply and submit the required documents to any Meralco Business Center. There is no automatic enrollment to the Lifeline Rate.

Note: According to PSA’s 2023 report, the Poverty Threshold at the national level is an average of PHP 33,296 monthly income for a family of five. However, this number may vary in the provinces.

Important:

  • Please note that only one (1)  Meralco service per qualified household can be granted a lifeline rate.
  • If more than one beneficiary from the same household applies for the lifeline rate, only one application will be approved, while the rest will be disapproved.

Will qualified customers automatically receive the discounted Meralco Lifeline rate?

No. Qualified customers for the Meralco Lifeline Rate must first apply and submit the necessary requirements. Only the customers whose applications were approved can receive the lifeline rate.

How much is Meralco’s Lifeline Rate for the qualified customers?

The ERC has set the Lifeline Consumption Threshold at 100 kWh per month. This means that only the qualified beneficiaries who consume less than 100 kWh in one billing period will qualify for the discounted rates.

The Lifeline Discount Rate includes the sum of the following Meralco charges for the month:

  • Generation Charge
  • Transmission Charge
  • System Loss Charge
  • Distribution Charge
  • Supply Charge
  • Metering Charges
  • Other Charges

Here’s the discount percentage for the kWh Consumption Bracket 

  • 0 to 20 kWh – 100%
  • 21 to 50 kWh – 50%
  • 51 to 70 kWh – 35%
  • 71 to 100 kWh – 20%

Note: The lifeline consumption threshold may change, subject to ERC guidelines.

kWh-Consumption-Bracket-Meralco-Lifeline-Rate

How can qualified customers apply?

Please note that only the customer qualified for the lifeline rate as either a 4Ps beneficiary or living below the poverty threshold can apply. 

1. For 4P’s Beneficiaries, you must meet the requirements and submit the required documents to any Meralco Business Center:

  • You must be included in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Certified List of 4Ps Beneficiaries provided by ERC.
  • Duly accomplished Lifeline Rate Application form for 4Ps beneficiaries. Get the online form here.
  • Most recent Meralco Bill
  • 4Ps ID
4Ps-Meralco-Lifeline-Rate-Form

Important:

  • Please note that the barangay indicated in the Meralco bill must also reflect the entry on the DSWD Certified List of 4Ps Beneficiary.
  • If 4Ps ID is lost or unavailable, other government-issued IDs will do.

2. For customers living below the poverty threshold set by the PSA (non-4Ps beneficiaries). Please submit the following documents to any Meralco Business Center.

  • Certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) issued within the last six months, showing his or her family income below the poverty threshold at the time of application.
  • Duly accomplished Lifeline Rate Application form for non-4Ps beneficiaries (Visit this page to get the official Meralco online form). 
  • Most recent Meralco bill
  • Any valid government-issued ID containing the address and signature of the registered customer.
    1. Police Clearance
    2. Postal ID
    3. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) License
    4. Senior Citizen ID
    5. Social Security System (SSS) ID
    6. Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID
    7. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
    8. Phil ID
Non-4Ps-Meralco-Lifeline-Discount-Form

Important: The address on the Meralco bill must reflect the address on the SWDO Certificate. If it doesn’t match, this will be subject to further verification by Meralco.

Can a customer apply for the Lifeline program through a representative?

Yes. A customer can apply for the lifeline rate through a representative, provided that the said representative submits the requirements along with these additional requirements:

  • Signed authorization letter (typed or handwritten), including the reason for the representation.
  • Valid government-issued ID with the signature of the represented.
  • Valid government-issued ID with the signature of the representative.

Is there a validity period?

1. For 4Ps Beneficiaries

  • It will be based on the annual certified list of 4Ps beneficiaries from DSWD. Only those customers on the updated certified list will maintain their eligibility to receive the Lifeline Rate. 
  • Those who were delisted from the certified list of 4Ps beneficiaries can still apply for the local SWDO certificate of those living below the poverty threshold. 
  • The Lifeline Rate will be discontinued no later than two Meralco billing cycles upon receiving the delisted 4Ps beneficiaries.

2. For Non-4Ps Beneficiaries

  • The Lifeline Rate’s validity is three (3) years from the date of issuance of the Certification by local SWDO.

Please note that Meralco may conduct customer eligibility validation for checking purposes.

What happens if the consumption for the month exceeds the 100 kWh limit?

If you exceed the 100 kWh limit for the month, your bill will not be provided with the Lifeline discount. However, if your next billing drops back to the 100 kWh limit, you will continue to enjoy the lifeline rate for that month.

How can I see the discount on my Meralco bill?

You can see your Lifeline discount at the back of your Meralco Bill under the Subsidies category, as shown in the highlighted image.

Meralco-Lifeline-Discounted-Rate-Program

What will happen if I transfer residence?

You will need to apply for a Certificate of Un-Tagging from any Meralco Business Center. You will then submit this document to your local SWDO to issue a new Certificate showing your new address (Please refer to Part V).

Can I apply for Meralco Lifeline Rate as a renter?

Yes. However, you’ll need to secure additional requirements upon your application to any Meralco Business Center. 

If the applicant is a Senior Citizen, does their Senior discount also apply along with the Lifeline Rate?

Yes. Senior citizens may enjoy both their SC discount and lifeline rates discount at the same time, provided they submit the requirements.

All details provided in the article are accurate at the time of writing. Any details that change later, whether from the ERC or Meralco, will be updated in the future.

What are your thoughts on the Meralco Lifeline discount? Share you experience below.

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