SHA Premium Reduction Assistance: How to Get a Review
SHA premium reduction assistance is help with asking SHA to review your monthly contribution when it is higher than your real household income supports. Start by checking your means test on Afya Yangu, then request a review on Afya Yangu or *147# if your account shows the option. SHA decides the outcome, and no lower amount is guaranteed.
Important: not every amount is currently eligible for an appeal. Check whether your account shows an appeal option before you plan around one. The check takes a minute on *147# or Afya Yangu.
If your SHA contribution feels too high, you are not stuck with it. This page explains what SHA premium reduction assistance covers, who can ask for a review, how to request one step by step, and what to do while you wait for a decision.
What is SHA premium reduction assistance?
SHA premium reduction assistance helps you ask SHA to look again at your contribution. SHA calls the process Punguza Malipo, and the review is based on the means test and the household and income details SHA holds. The help covers checking your details, preparing the request, and understanding what to expect. It does not change SHA’s decision.
Who can ask for a SHA premium reduction?
You can ask for a review if the information SHA used to set your contribution no longer matches your situation. The most common cases are:
- Your means test was completed with wrong income, household or asset details
- Your income or employment has changed since you completed the means test
- You never completed the means test and were given a default amount
- The records SHA holds about your household do not match your current situation
If your original answers were correct and nothing has changed, SHA may confirm the same amount. A review is not a way to lower a figure that is accurate.
Is my amount eligible for an appeal?
There are two quick ways to check, and either one answers the question:
- On *147#: dial *147#, select the Kenyan Citizen option, enter your National ID, and look for an option labelled Contributions Appeal. If it appears, your amount can be appealed through that menu.
- On Afya Yangu: log in at afyayangu.go.ke, complete or open your means test, and look for an appeal button or appeal tab. If it appears, your amount can be appealed there.
If neither route shows an appeal option, your amount is not currently eligible through that route. Call SHA on 0800 720 601 or dial 147 and ask whether your amount qualifies for a review. Write down the date and the answer you are given. Do not pay anyone who promises to get an appeal opened for you.
How do I request a SHA premium reduction?
Follow these steps in order. Write down each reference number or confirmation you receive.
Check your current amount
Dial *147# from the phone number registered with SHA, or log in to Afya Yangu. Write down the monthly amount and any arrears shown.
Confirm your means test is complete
On Afya Yangu, check that your means test is complete and shows the household and income details SHA is using. If you have never completed it, complete it first.
Find the review option
Look for the appeal button or appeal tab on Afya Yangu, or the Contributions Appeal option on *147#. If neither shows an appeal option, stop here and follow the eligibility steps above. The wording and availability can change.
Answer honestly
Give your real household size, income and employment situation. SHA can verify these details, and false answers can lead to the request being rejected.
Submit and keep the confirmation
Submit the request and keep the reference number, confirmation SMS or screenshot, with the date. You will need it if you follow up.
Check the outcome
Check Afya Yangu after a few days. If there is no outcome, call SHA on 0800 720 601 or dial 147 with your reference.
How much will my SHA premium be reduced to?
SHA sets the new amount after it reviews your case, so no specific figure can be promised before then. The new amount could be lower or the same. Be cautious of anyone who promises a fixed monthly or yearly figure before SHA has decided. Confirm any published minimum on sha.go.ke before you rely on it.
How often can I ask for a SHA premium review?
Reviews are generally limited, and callers have been told the limit is once a year. Eligibility also depends on the amount assessed. Confirm your own position by calling 147 or 0800 720 601 and asking whether your amount qualifies for a review.
What if my review is rejected or the amount stays the same?
Ask SHA for the reason in writing. Once you have it, you can decide whether to follow up or escalate. If the wait is long, read our guide to SHA appeals taking too long. If the problem is an error in your record, the SHA premium assessment explains how the amount is worked out.
Is there a fee for SHA premium reduction assistance?
The official review route through SHA does not charge a fee. Be cautious of anyone who asks for money to guarantee a result. MyCyber helps you prepare your details and understand each step, but we do not act for SHA and cannot guarantee the outcome.
Can SHA premium reduction assistance help with Lipa SHA Pole Pole?
If paying the full contribution is hard, Lipa SHA Pole Pole spreads payments into smaller regular amounts. Before you enrol, confirm the first-month rules, whether interest applies and whether you need Hustler Fund registration, with SHA. A review and a payment plan are separate decisions.
Want help checking whether you qualify?
Send us your current SHA amount and what has changed in your household or income. We will explain which steps apply and what to prepare.
Chat with us on WhatsAppSHA premium reduction assistance: frequently asked questions
Can I reduce my SHA premium?
Only if your account shows an appeal option. Check *147# under Contributions Appeal, or the appeal button on Afya Yangu. Not every amount is currently eligible. If neither route shows an option, call 0800 720 601 or dial 147 to ask. SHA decides the outcome, and a lower amount is not guaranteed.
What is SHA premium reduction?
It is a review of your monthly SHA contribution through SHA’s official process, which SHA calls Punguza Malipo.
Why can’t I see an appeal option?
Not every amount is currently eligible for an appeal, and eligibility rules can change. Confirm with SHA on 0800 720 601 or 147 whether your amount qualifies.
Is there an official fee for a review?
The official route does not charge a fee. Be cautious of anyone who asks for money to guarantee a result.
Will my arrears be cancelled if the amount is reduced?
Not automatically. Ask SHA how earlier months and arrears are treated, and get the answer in writing.
How long does a review take?
SHA sets the timeline. Check Afya Yangu after a few days, and if there is no outcome, call 0800 720 601 or dial 147 with your reference number.
Should I stop paying while the review is pending?
No. Keep paying your current amount until SHA confirms a new one, because stopping can make your cover inactive.
Can I reduce my SHA contribution online?
You can request a review on Afya Yangu or on *147# if your account shows the option. Check the current route with SHA, since availability can change.
Related SHA premium reduction assistance guides
Sources for SHA premium reduction assistance
- Social Health Authority, sha.go.ke, for current rules, the review process and any published minimum contribution.
- Afya Yangu, afyayangu.go.ke, for your means test and review options.
- SHA toll-free line 0800 720 601 and short code 147, for eligibility questions.
Disclaimer: MyCyber is an independent digital assistance service, not affiliated with SHA or any government body. This page explains the process and is not legal or financial advice. SHA makes all decisions on contributions and reviews. Confirm current rules and contacts at sha.go.ke, since details can change.
Data protection: By messaging MyCyber on WhatsApp, you agree to our data protection terms and conditions.
