Five days left to reapply for pensioner benefits

26 November 2019

Property owners who are dependent on pensions or social grants for their livelihood, including those with special needs, and who earn a household income of up to R17 500 may qualify for rates discounts.

It is an increase of R2 500 in the monthly household income threshold for rates assistance. The rebates for all income bands between R4 500 and R17 500 per month were also adjusted upwards.

The new GV 2018 was implemented on 1 July 2019 after the previous three-year GV cycle ended in June 2019. Qualifying customers have less than a week left to apply via either the email address Indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za or at the nearest walk-in centre.

'With the deadline rapidly approaching, we encourage qualifying customers to apply as soon as possible and not to lose out on the assistance that is on offer. In these challenging economic times, every bit of financial relief can go a long way to assist families and their budgets. We are here to help where we can.

'It used to be a requirement that pensioners go through this application process every year. To reduce the burden on pensioners, we managed to change the reapplication process so that applicants need only submit their paperwork every three years. We are trying our best to make the process as painless as possible,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson.

Rates rebates for pensioners and social grant beneficiaries as of 1 July 2019
Income bracket per month R		Rates rebate %
0	4 500	100
4 501	6 000	95
6 001	7 500	90
7 501	9 000	80
9 001	10 500	70
10 501	12 000	60
12 001	13 500	50
13 501	14 500	40
14 501	15 500	30
15 501	16 500	20
16 501	17 500	10

In addition, indigent property owners who earn up to R6 000 a month, regardless of their age, are also encouraged to apply for indigent benefits that include rates rebates.

How to apply?

Pensioners and social grant beneficiaries

Visit the local walk-in centre or send an email with the necessary information to rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za
Download the Application Form for Pensioners and Social Grant Beneficiaries at /city-connect/apply/financial-relief-and-rebates/individuals/apply-for-senior-citizen-support

Please include with your application:

Certified copies of proof of income (not older than three months) for the owner and spouse/partner and three months' original, printed bank statements for all banking accounts from all banking institutions (not older than three months). Donations are not regarded as income
Certified copies of the ID of owner and spouse/partner
Certified copy of lease agreement if applicable
Certified copies of proof of pension (private and state pension)
Certified copies of documentation as evidence of investments or dividends
Certified copies of documentation as evidence of usufruct/habitation/executor/administrator or curator
Certified copy of proof of trust document and income of all beneficiaries of the trust if applicable
Certified copy of the applicant's ID and proof of income for all owners are required where a property is held by multiple owners. A certified Power of Attorney permitting the applicant to act on behalf of the other property owners is required
If the property is registered as a closed corporation (CC), a certified copy of the applicant's ID (the person residing in the property) and a certified proof of income for all of the other registered owners of the property are required. A certified letter permitting the applicant to act on behalf of the other owners is also required
A certified copy of a Death Certificate or Will are needed, if applicable

Indigent support

STEP 1: Download the Application for Indigent Support form at /city-connect/apply/financial-relief-and-rebates/individuals/apply-for-indigent-rates-relief or send an email to Indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za or collect one from your nearest municipal office. Renewal applications have been posted to existing rates rebate and indigent grant recipients.

STEP 2: Include all relevant documentation with the application.

STEP 3: Submit the completed form to any municipal Revenue walk-in office or post the documents to Director Revenue, City of Cape Town, PO Box 655, Cape Town, 8000. When posting a form, a certified copy of your ID or other proof of identification needs to be included.

For more information residents are welcome to visit any one of the City walk-in centres or their nearest housing office, or contact the City's Call Centre on 0860 103 089.

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