It is a common practice among Kenyans to reach out to the public for financial help whenever they are faced with different emergency situations.
When these need arises, people have always turned to the use of popular mobile money service M-PESA for sending contributions to a personal phone number.
However, this does not exactly elicit trust, hence the use of short term Lipa na M-PESA paybill numbers that get terminated after the stipulated period lapses.
Furthermore, an M-PESA account can only hold a maximum of Ksh100,000 so, you will need the paybill account if you anticipate collecting more than that.
The short term paybill is operational 24 hours a day and can collect a maximum of Ksh100 million.
The amount will be transferred to the bank ones the period of hire has expired.
It is important to note that the short term paybill can only be hired for 1-6 months.
These are some of the most regular occasions that may require you to apply for a short term paybill account from Safaricom.
a.)Wedding contribution
b.)Medical fund
c.)Education Harambee
d.)Funeral contribution
e.)Church fundraising
f.)Charity
g.)Catastrophes
How to apply for lipa na M-PESA Short term paybill online
Previously, those in need of the temporary paybill number had to download an application form which they would submit at a Safaricom Shop for processing.
Safaricom has now introduced an online portal that is meant to make this process quick, simple and seamless. Here’s how to do it:
1. Visit the online lipa na M-PESA self-help portal or click here for a direct link.
2. Select the type of paybill number you wish to apply. For our case, we choose the short term paybill
3. Under the requirements tab, click on the appropriate function for the M-PESA paybill number you wish to apply.
4. Note the documents required and then click on the apply button at the bottom.
5. Fill all the fields marked with the asterisk symbol. Remember to provide correct information to speed up the application.
6. Provide your bank details but first check with your bank to confirm whether or not they are on Real Time Settlement to avoid unnecessary fees.
7. Click on the “Register button and proceed to set up and verify a One Time PIN (OTP).
8. Last but not least, upload the scanned copies of the necessary documentation.
9. Finally, submit your application and wait for a period of 24 hrs for your application to be processed.
Documents required for a medical fund
Note: All the documents below should be in scanned or simply soft copy format.
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill application form stating purpose and duration.
2) Signed terms and conditions
3) Certified ID and PIN certificate of the applicant.
4) Certified supporting documents from the Hospital / Doctor treating the patient which should confirm the need for the collection e.g. reference to an operation/required treatment (on the institution’s letterhead, stamped and signed by authorized personnel).
5) If applying on behalf of the beneficiary;
a. If a minor: the parents/guardian of the child should apply and the child’s birth certificate should be attached to the rest of the documents as listed above.
b. If the person is incapacitated: certified copies of IDs & PIN Certificates for both parties will be required.
Documents required for educational fund
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) Signed Terms and Conditions.
3) Certified ID and PIN Certificate of the applicant.
4) Certified supporting documents from the Education Institution stating the need for an education fund (on the institution’s letterhead, stamped and signed by authorized personnel).
5) If applying on behalf of the beneficiary;
a. If a minor: the parents/guardian of the child should apply and the child’s birth certificate
Documents required for a funeral fund
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) Signed Terms and Conditions.
3) Certified ID and PIN Certificate of the applicant
4) Certified Notice of Death
5) Proof of Kin
6) Certified copy of ID of the Next-of-Kin (certified by an advocate)
Documents required for a wedding fund
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) Signed Terms and Conditions
3) Certified ID and PIN Certificate of the applicant.
4) Letter from the institution that is to wed the couple.
5) Clearance letter from AG’s office (Registrar of Marriages).
6) Certified copies of ID & PIN Certificate for the couple (certified by an advocate).
Documents required for charity or catastrophe e.g. Fire/drought
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) An official letter written by the committee members and signed by at least two committee members.
3) A letter from the bank showing that an account has been set up for the intended purpose, as specified in the letter.
Documents required for a church fund raising
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) An official letter from the Church authorizing the fundraising and also listing the committee members/elders of the church. The letter should be signed by at least two committee members.
3) Any other official document from the church.
Documents required for school fund raising
1) Duly filled and signed Short term pay bill Application form stating purpose and duration.
2) An official letter from the School authorizing the fundraising and listing the committee members. The letter should be signed by at least two committee members.
3) A letter from either the Board of Governors (BOG) or Parents Teachers Association (PTA) authorizing the fundraising.
4) Any other official document from the school.
How to withdraw funds from Safaricom Short term PayBill Account
Once the funds have been made, you will make a request to Safaricom through an email to short-termpaybill@safaricom.co.ke to withdraw the funds.
Upon receipt of the request, the funds will be rolled up to the bank account given during application.
