How to request a HELB penalty waiver if you’re ready to clear your loan
HELB frequently offers an 80% HELB penalty waiver for loanees who are ready to settle their outstanding balance in a single lump-sum payment.
Ready to finally break free from the weight of your student debt without losing a small fortune to accumulated fines? For many, the “HELB penalty” is a ghost that haunts their payslips and CRB reports long after graduation, often doubling the cost of their education. But here is the secret: HELB would rather have their principal back today than a mountain of “paper debt” tomorrow.
If you have a lump sum ready, you are in the strongest position to negotiate. By leveraging the HELB 80% penalty waiver policy, you can effectively delete years of arrears in a single click. Whether you’re using the HELB Mobile App or visiting a Huduma Centre, here is how to navigate the system, claim your discount, and finally secure that elusive Clearance Certificate.
Steps to Request a HELB Penalty Waiver
- Online Portal:Log in to the HELB Loanees Portal, navigate to “Services,” then select “Penalty Waiver” to generate a Waiver Request Slip.Check for Active Offers:Visit the HELB Portal or follow their official social media pages (X or Facebook) to see if a waiver campaign (like the recent “Be the Reason Someone Believes” campaign) is currently running.Generate a Waiver Request Slip:
- Log in to the HELB Loanee Portal.
- Navigate to the “Services”tab and select “Penalty Waiver”.
- Click on “Get Waiver”. The system will calculate your balance and generate a provisional payment slip showing the discounted amount.
- Mobile App:Download the HELB App from the Google Play Store to check your current balance and view available waiver offers.
- USSD Code:Dial *642# on your mobile phone to access quick repayment and waiver services.
- Email Contact:Send an email to contactcentre@helb.co.ke or dru@helb.co.ke with your National ID number, stating your intent to clear the loan and requesting a waiver.
Contact HELB for Personalised Offers: If no automated option appears, contact HELB directly to “break the deal.” Use the following channels to request a waiver in exchange for clearing your loan:
- Email:contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
- Phone:0711 052 000.
- Social Media:Send a Direct Message (DM) to @HELBpage on X.
- Direct contact: For face-to-face assistance, you can visit any Huduma Centre or the HELB main office at Anniversary Towers to have your penalties reviewed manually.
Pay the Committed Amount:Once the waiver is approved, you typically must pay the agreed lump sum within 30 days to enjoy the discount.
Quick Reminder: A waiver usually only applies to the accrued penalties, not the principal loan amount or the 4% annual interest.
Critical Requirements for Approval
- Lump Sum Payment: The 80% waiver is strictly for those who pay their full arrears at once or within the specified window.
- Payment Methods: Use the official M-Pesa Paybill 200800 (with your National ID as the account number) or direct bank deposits to recognized HELB accounts.
- Waiver Slip Validity: If you generate a waiver slip from the portal, it is usually valid only until the end of the current month. If you don’t pay within that time, you must generate a new one
After Payment
Once the loan is cleared with the waiver applied, you must apply for a HELB Clearance Certificate via the portal. This certificate is the final proof that your loan is fully settled and your records are updated
Sample Email Requesting for a Penalty Waiver
Subject: Request for Penalty Waiver – [Your Full Name] – ID No: [Your ID Number]
Dear HELB Contact Centre,
I am writing to formally request a waiver on the penalties accrued on my HELB loan account (ID No: [Your ID Number]).
I have reviewed my current statement and noted the outstanding balance, which includes significant penalty charges. I am now in a position to settle my loan and would like to commit to a lump-sum payment of the principal and interest amounts.
I kindly request your office to consider an 80% penalty waiver (or the currently applicable rate) to enable me to clear the balance in full within the next 30 days. Please provide me with the exact discounted figure and a payment reference to facilitate this.
I look forward to your positive response to help me achieve financial compliance.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your HELB Financial Portal Email]
