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Help is available for pensioners – reach out to us

<p>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 urge all pensioners 60 years and older and people who receive social grants, or a pension amounting to no more than R22 000 income per month, to approach the City for assistance as they may qualify for a rates rebate as well as indigent benefits if applicable.<br></p>

<p>‘We ask pensioners to make use of the available support. It is important to remember that 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. Our support package has increased dramatically to ensure we are able to assist as many vulnerable residents as possible. The City’s Customer Interaction Centre and Cash Office officials have assisted many residents over the recent weeks and our teams are ready to assist many more with their applications. </p><div>‘Pensioners who receive a social grant or pension amounting to no more than R22 000 may qualify for a rates rebate of between <strong>10% and 100%</strong>. Residents can visit our website for more information on how to apply or visit their nearest customer office,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.</div><div><br></div><div><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">Total social package now at R4,3bn – Cape Town’s assistance package among the highest of metros in South Africa </strong><br><br></div><div><ul><li>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. </li><li>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.</li><li>Lifeline Tariff Customers using 350 - 600 units will pay R2,11 in this usage band. This will help to protect households using more electricity this winter, while an average usage of 450 units over a 12-month period still applies to remain in this tariff category. 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 household monthly income is below R7 500.</li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Pensioner rates relief</strong><br><br></div><div><ul><li>Pensioners 60 years or older and people who receive social grants or a pension amounting to no more than R22 000 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</li><li><strong>For more information on how to apply for pensioner support:</strong> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-senior-citizen-support" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-senior-citizen-support</a> </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Residents may qualify for indigent support if they:</strong><br><br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>are a homeowner</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>earn R7 500 or less per month<br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>own only one property</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>are the full-time occupant of the home</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>use the home mainly for residential purposes<br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>are a child who lives in the home of a parent who has passed away</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>received the house in a divorce settlement</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>depend on a pension or a social grant for their livelihood</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Applicants will need:</strong><br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>proof of identification (ID book/card or passport)</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a bank statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bank account</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a bond statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bond account</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a copy of the estate documents if the applicant has inherited his or her house</div><div><br></div><div><strong>If residents are employed, they must also include:</strong></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>latest salary/wage pay slip or a letter from an employer stating their income</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a sworn affidavit if they are self-employed stating how much is earned per month</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>proof if a disability grant, maintenance grant or pension is received</div><div><br></div><div>If residents are unemployed, they must include the following in the application:</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a sworn affidavit stating that they are unemployed</div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>a sworn affidavit stating that they have no other source of income</div><div style="text-decoration:underline;"><br></div><div><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">Useful contacts and information:</strong><br></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><p><strong>For rates or services relief</strong></p><ul><li>Visit: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief</a> or a City customer office.</li><li>Email: <a href="mailto:indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za</a> <br><br><br><strong>For payment arrangements</strong></li><li>Visit: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/arrange-a-payment-plan-for-debt-collection" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/arrange-a-payment-plan-for-debt-collection</a></li><li>Email: <a href="mailto:Payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za</a><br><br> <br><br><strong>For a list of the City's Cash Offices and Walk-in Centres, please visit:</strong> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Walk-in%20centres" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Walk-in%20centres</a></li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p><br><br></div>

2023-08-02T22:00:00Z

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