Help for pensioners – application deadline extended to 30 November

29 August 2023

The City is extending its pensioner support application deadline from 31 August to 30 November 2023. We encourage all pensioners 60 years and older and people who receive social grants, or a pension amounting to no more than R22 000 per month, to approach the City for assistance as they may qualify for a rates rebate as well as indigent benefits, if applicable. 

'The City has increased its total social support package by more than half a billion for 2023/24 to assist more pensioners and indigent households. We are now extending the application deadline for pensioner support so that we can assist as many qualifying residents as possible.

'Applications from residents 60 years and older will remain valid until the next municipal valuation of their property comes into effect. This is expected to be from 30 June 2026 or until a supplementary valuation is implemented. Pensioners who receive a social grant or pension amounting to no more than R22 000 may qualify for a rates rebate of between 10% and 100%. We ask residents to reach out to us for assistance or for more information.

'On average, our teams are processing more than 250 applications per day and we are assisting a high number of residents with their enquiries about the assistance available to them. Over the next few months, our dedicated teams are ready to assist many more qualifying applicants.

'It is important to note that the City unfortunately cannot provide blanket relief for all pensioners. We are however trying our best to ensure that our most vulnerable pensioners receive the relief they need. Residents may visit our website for more information, contact our call centre or visit their nearest Walk-in Centre for assistance,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Cape Town's assistance package is among the highest of metros in South Africa

• Everyone under the R7 500 monthly household income threshold receives a 100% rebate for property rates and refuse removal on approval of their applications. Those in residential living units with a property value of R450 000 and below will also qualify. Around 192 500 households across Cape Town benefit from this assistance.
• All residential properties valued at R5 million and under are also receiving a R450 000 reduction in the property valuation for rates calculation purposes. This translates into R450 000 of a residential property valuation not being rated. Over 700 000 properties are expected to benefit, representing 80% of all properties in the city.
• The City has also upped the property value criteria to qualify for the Lifeline tariff, from R400 000 to R500 000. It is important for all to remember that residents with a property value higher than R500 000 may also still qualify for the Lifeline tariff if their monthly household income is below R7 500.
  
   
  Pensioner rates relief

• Pensioners 60 years or older and people who receive social grants or a pension amounting to no more than R22 000 a month 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  
  
   
  
  Residents may qualify for indigent support if they:
• are a homeowner
• earn R7 500 or less per month
• own only one property
• are the full-time occupant of the home
• use the home mainly for residential purposes
• are a child who lives in the home of a parent who has passed away
• received the house in a divorce settlement
• depend on a pension or a social grant for their livelihood
  
   
  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
   
  
  Useful contacts and information:
  
  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  
  
   
  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
  
  
  
  For a list of the City's Cash Offices and Walk-in Centres, please visit: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Walk-in%20centres

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office