Pensioners encouraged to apply for City support
10 March 2024
All pensioners, 60 years and older, are encouraged to apply for the City’s financial support. They may qualify for a rates rebate of up to 100%. This includes residents who receive social grants, or a pension amounting to no more than R22 000 per month.
'The City encourages all pensioners to approach us for support as help is available. We would like to assist many more pensioners and offer support to the households who need it most. 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 encourage residents to contact us for assistance or for more information.
‘As at 31 January 2024, a total of 10 156 residents meet the criteria for pension and social grant support and are registered to receive rates rebates for the 2023/24 financial year. A massive 4 786 of these residents are receiving the 100% rebate. We are ready to assist many more qualifying applicants.
‘We are trying our best to ensure that the most vulnerable pensioners receive the assistance they need. The City unfortunately cannot provide blanket relief for all pensioners but we hope to assist as many people as possible. 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. Customers in this category are encouraged to make application for the City’s indigent benefits which include the provision of up to15kl water and 10,5kl sewerage disposal for free. 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. Note 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
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 their 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
For payment arrangements
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
