City launches Indigent Support campaign – we can all do with a little help
17 September 2023
The City wants to help households whose income is R7 500 or less per month. These households could benefit from debt write offs if they have not received a once-off write-off already, access free basic services and qualify for a 100% discount on their property rates. The City is launching its Indigent Support campaign this month. Our team of experts will be in communities to offer assistance and help residents to complete their applications. Residents who are struggling are encouraged to visit and apply for support when we reach their area in the coming weeks.
The City’s Revenue teams are hitting the road and will be in a number of communities in the coming months, to assist residents with indigent support, pensioner support and general municipal account enquiries.
The Roadshow dates and venues will be communicated to residents in due course. Residents are encouraged to visit our website and check our social media channels when the dates, times and venues are made available.
‘The City offers some of the highest levels of assistance to residents in need of any metro in South Africa. We’ve allocated some R4,3 billion for rates and services relief to help our indigent residents and pensioners. It is easier to apply than customers may think. Our team of expert officials will be in a number of communities to assist residents with their indigent support applications and guide them through the process. We are also equipped to assist with pensioner support applications and general account enquiries.
‘Residents are often unsure about the various application processes and how it works, and with this campaign, we are hoping to help residents right on their doorstep. For residents who are unable to attend a roadshow, we encourage them to visit our website for more information on the available support, to contact our call centre or to visit their nearest Walk-In Centre. We ask residents to inform their family members, neighbours and loved ones about the Roadshows and the City’s indigent support,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.
Successful indigent applicants need only re-apply every 12 months from the date of approval
Once an applicant has successfully registered as indigent, they need only re-apply every 12 months from the date of approval.
Pensioners
Applications from residents 60 years and older will remain valid until the next municipal valuation of their property comes into effect, which is expected to be from 30 June 2026 or until a supplementary valuation is implemented.
The City also offers South Africa’s highest allocation of free water at 15kl, the highest allocation of free sanitation at 10,5kl, up to 60 free electricity units, and the most of every metro linking social relief to property value.
Applicants will need:
• proof of identification (ID book/card or passport)
• a bank statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bank account
• a bond statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bond account
• a copy of the estate documents if the applicant has inherited his or her house
If residents are employed, they must also include:
• latest salary/wage pay slip or a letter from an employer stating their income
• a sworn affidavit if they are self-employed stating how much is earned per month
• proof if a disability grant, maintenance grant or pension is received
If residents are unemployed, they must include the following in the application:
• a sworn affidavit stating that they are unemployed
• a sworn affidavit stating that they have no other source of income
Qualifying threshold for pensioners and social grant recipients expanded
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 R22 000, up from R17 500. The City has also increased the social support package to R4,3 billion in total for rates and services relief for 2023/24.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
