Apply now! City indigent and pensioner support: everything residents need to know

20 November 2025

The City encourages residents to apply for available financial support. Households earning below R7 500 may be eligible for indigent assistance. Those who are 60 years old and above are encouraged to apply for pensioner rebates.

‘We’re asking our indigent residents and pensioners to apply for help with service and rates costs. The City has expanded the qualifying threshold for pensioners and social grant recipients to enable additional residents to benefit from the Lifeline tariff and rates rebates, with the qualifying limit now increased to a monthly income of R27 000. The City has also increased the social support package to R5,1 billion in total for rates and services relief for 2025/26.

‘The City is assisting households with an income of R7 500 or less per month. These households could access free basic services and qualify for a 100% discount on their property rates.

‘The City offers South Africa's highest allocation of free water at 15 kl, the highest allocation of free sanitation at 10,5 kl, up to 60 free electricity units, and among the highest levels of support of all metros.

‘Our team of officials at the City’s Customer Interaction Centres are ready to assist. We urge all residents to find out more about the support available. The City remains committed to finding new ways to assist residents in need of help,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Pensioner Rebate	Indigent Benefit
What are the validity periods?
About every three years, general valuation intervals. Pensioners and social grant recipients who receive benefits are reminded that due to the General Valuation, they will need to reapply for benefits in 2026.	Applicants who are 60 years and older, GV intervals (about every three years).
	Applicants who are younger than 60, annually
Who qualifies for support?
Homeowners who are 60 years of age and older	Homeowners with a household income of R7 500 per month and less
Have a household income not exceeding R27 000	Residents who are full-time occupants of their home
Who are dependent on a pension or social grant	Residents who use their home mainly for residential purposes
Economically active pensioners who meet all other requirements	A child who lives in the home of a deceased parent
What are the benefits?
100% rates rebate for those with a minimum income of R0 and a maximum income of R10 000	100% property rates rebate
Sliding scale of rates rebates depending on income	15kl and 10kl sewerage free
10% rates rebate for those with a minimum income of R24 001 and a maximum income of R27 000	100% rebate on one bin and the City-wide cleansing fee
	Lifeline prepaid electricity 60 free units if usage is below 250kWh 25 free units if usage is between 250 and 450kWh
What are the required documents?
Copy of ID of owner and spouse/partner Proof of income of owner and spouse/partner (pension fund slip/social grant/rental income/investments/dividends) Three months’ bank statements for all banking accounts Proof of usufruct/executorship	Copy of ID of owner and spouse/partner Proof of income of owner and spouse/partner (pension fund slip/social grant/rental income/investments/dividends) Three months’ bank statements for all banking accounts Proof of usufruct/executorship Copy of ID of owner and spouse/partner/ executor/heirs Proof of income of owner and spouse/ partner/executor/heirs e.g. latest salary/wage payslip or a letter from an employer stating your income Three months’ bank statements of all bank accounts Three months’ bond statement of all properties owned by applicant/affidavit declaring that applicant does not have a bond Consent to have pre-paid meter installed Deceased estate – will/executor letter Unemployed – affidavit confirming unemployment Affidavits from applicant/people e.g. children giving donations to applicants

How to apply:

Completed application forms can be submitted via one of the below channels:

In person by submitting your application at any of our Customer Interaction Centres
Online application via the e-Services registration process
Via email by emailing your application to: Rates.Rebate@capetown.gov.za or Indigent.Relief@capetown.gov.za

For more information on the City’s account payment and support options, please visit: https://bit.ly/CCT_PaymentSupport

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office