City reminds struggling residents to make payment arrangements, take up relief
28 July 2021
The City of Cape Town has a comprehensive indigent policy and also a rebate system for pensioners. Financial assistance includes some R3,4 billion for indigent relief and also Covid-19 assistance in the form of no interest payment arrangements.
The City has a 98,9% payment ratio, which indicates most ratepayers are able to pay their municipal accounts but those who cannot should please approach the City for assistance. More than 40% of Cape Town’s residences benefit from some level of financial rates and services relief, including rental subsidisation.
‘It is important that municipal income is protected for without it, the City will not be able to provide basic and essential services. Thus anyone struggling to pay can approach the City and discuss their situation with us. Importantly, those who have been hit especially hard by the Covid-19 lockdowns, should approach the City and enter into a formal interest free payment arrangement based on agreed to terms. We see the situation quite often where people are struggling to pay for rates and services but instead of approaching the City so that their particular circumstances can be looked into and a formal arrangement can be made, they unilaterally reduce payments or make ad hoc payments and then fall into arrears. It is better to approach the City first to either access the indigent and rates rebate benefits the City is offering or to make a payment arrangement so that everyone is on the same page and to avoid debt management and legal actions. There is help on offer.
‘The City’s policies aim to accommodate everyone according to their income level. The uptake of indigent support specifically remains relatively low and the City reiterates its call for residents who are in financial difficulty to go to their nearest customer care office and see if they qualify for indigent support,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance and Deputy Executive Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson.
More than 40% of Cape Town’s residences benefit from some level of financial rates and services relief, including:
100% property rates rebate;
100% refuse removal rebate;
10,5kl free water;
7,35kl free sanitation;
60kWh free electricity if consumption is less than 250kWh; and
25kWh free electricity if consumption is greater than 250kWh but less than 450kWh
rent payable for Council units is also subsidised according to the tenant’s income; for instance, a tenant with a monthly income of say R2 500 would pay rent of approximately R200 per month.
The City will continue to operate in a manner that is sustainable, that does not jeopardise service delivery and that sees to it that those who qualify for support are provided with relief.
Contacts
For rates or services relief
Visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief or a City customer office.
Email: indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za
Pensioner rates relief
Pensioners 60 years or older and people who receive social grants earning not more than R17 500 may qualify for a rates rebate of between 10% and 100%. They are invited to go to the nearest City customer care office or send an email to rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za.
For more information on how to apply for pensioner support: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-senior-citizen-support
For payment arrangements
Visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/arrange-a-payment-plan-for-debt-collection.
Email: Payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za
Businesses in financial hardship due to the economic pressure from the Covid-19 lockdown can approach the City for relief based on the merits of each application.
Email: Covid19.Relief@capetown.gov.za
FAQs:
https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures,%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/COVID-19_Billing_and_Relief_FAQs.pdf
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
