Be prepared to demand your INAPAM discount when paying the SAPAC or Pre-Dial bills. According to a report from La Jornada, the Sistema de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado del Municipio de Cuernavaca (Water & Sewer System of Cuernavaca) faces a deficit of 65 million pesos and has an outstanding historical debt exceeding one billion pesos. The debt brought about by excessive spending and embezzlement, includes monies owed to CFE and other departments. This debt greatly exceeds their revenue, and thus, they are attempting to retain the 83 million pesos in federally required INAPAM discounts to make their payments to employees.
See our first article on this story from Sept 2025
SAPAC continues to atempt are attempting to tell seniors that they are not giving the Federal Inapam discounts. The majority of older Méxicans do not complain, as they grew up with the adage of ¡Tienes que aceptarlo! [You have to accept it!] from the pre-revolution Spanish rule. Some seniors who have complained to four employees have been able to reach someone who can provide the required discount.
If you do not receive your discount from SAPAC or on property taxes, take your paid bill to PROFECO with proof of payment. Request assistance in obtaining your discount, which is protected by Federal law and cannot be denied by city or state authorities.
The Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores (INAPAM) is a federal public welfare program in Mexico that operates nationwide. The program is a federal initiative that requires municipal and state governments to provide seniors with local discounts. This has sometimes led to corruption at the local level, where municipal and state leaders seek to avoid offering seniors a full or partial discount to increase revenue.
Key points regarding the program’s scope and implementation
Federal Program: The existence and general guidelines of INAPAM are established at the federal level to serve older adults (age 60 and over) nationwide in Mexico.
Local Administration: The actual offices where individuals apply for the card are run by state and municipal governments, and local practices, procedures, and required documentation can vary by location.
Eligibility: While federal guidelines state that Mexican citizens and all legal residents (temporary or permanent) aged 60 or older are eligible, some local offices have resisted providing the discounts to seniors, particularly to foreign residents, who they believe will not be aware of Mexican laws.
The INAPAM card provides legitimate discounts on healthcare, transport, groceries, property taxes or water bills, and cultural activities such as cinemas and museums.
Core benefits include discounts on transportation, healthcare, food, cultural activities, and local government services like property taxes and water bills (50%), plus free museum admission if federally funded. Participating businesses vary by region.
For detailed information on the program and the most accurate and current list of benefits, cardholders should consult the official INAPAM website (English / Spanish) or use their national module finder to find a local office.
Again, if you hold an INAPAM card, do not receive your discount from city or state services such as water and property taxes, present a copy of your paid bill to PROFECO, and they will ensure that you receive your discount, as it is a Federal Requirement that cannot be usurped by the city or state.
Author: G. William Hood
Author, Columnist, Educator, Epistemologist, and Publisher
