Renew pensioner and indigent benefits before 1 July

11 June 2026

Due to the new General Valuation (GV) that comes into effect from 1 July 2026, we encourage our pensioners and social grant recipients who are currently receiving pensioner support from the City, as well as our registered indigent beneficiaries to re-apply for relief before 1 July 2026. The City is also proactively contacting registered beneficiaries via SMS to assist.

Dedicated teams are ready to assist with the renewals.

If in doubt, call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to verify the SMS message.
Registered beneficiaries can expect another SMS message from the City from next week onwards to outline steps to reapply via a new WhatsApp chat box.
Pensioners may also contact rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za for individual assistance from one of our team members or visit their nearest Customer Interaction Centre.

A few years ago, to help our pensioners, we decided to align their re-application time with the General Valuation, which would mean they need only renew their benefit status once every three years and not every year.

As we’ve just had a new GV (2025) the valid three-year application status ends at the end of June 2026. We encourage our pensioners to renew their application before 1 July 2026.

It is necessary to re-apply as the City is legally bound to check the financial status of beneficiaries to confirm that they meet the requirements for social package assistance.

Staff will continue to work non-stop to assist our beneficiaries.

To renew:
• For pensioner rates rebate renewals (application once every three years): rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za
• For indigent benefit renewals (annual application): indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za

New applications:
New pensioner applications: rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za
New indigent applications (annual application): indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za

For payment arrangements: payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za

In the new Financial Year starting on 1 July, the City has proposed more than R8,3 billion in social assistance to qualifying pensioners and indigent residents.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office