With the start of the new municipal financial year, applications are now open for rates and services relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City of Cape Town is bringing financial relief to vulnerable residents in the metro and urge all eligible residents to apply for the support on offer. Once you have registered as indigent, successful applicants only need to reapply every 12 months from the date of approval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, applications from residents 60 years and older, will remain valid until the next municipal valuation of their property comes into effect, which is expected to be from 30 June 2026 or until a supplementary valuation is implemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relief is available for indigent households, pensioners and residents who are struggling. \u201cWe ask residents to visit their nearest customer office to see if they qualify for support. Before re-applying, residents must remember to pay off any money that is owed to the municipality,\u201d the City said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have expanded the qualifying threshold for pensioners and social grant recipients to enable more people to benefit from the lifeline tariff and rates rebates, with the qualifying limit now increased to a monthly income of R22 000, up from R17 500.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City has increased the total social support package by more than half a billion rand for 2023-\u201924, to R4,3 billion in total for rates and services relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe metro continues to offer South Africa\u2019s highest allocation of free water at 15 kl, the highest allocation of free sanitation at 10,5 kl, and up to 60 free electricity units, the most of all metros linking social relief to property value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe City encourages vulnerable residents to approach us for assistance,\u201d said the City\u2019s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Total social package now at R4,3bn<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone under the R7 500 monthly household income threshold will get a 100% rebate for property rates and refuse removal, benefitting 192 500 households across Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those in residential living units with a property value of R450 000 will also get this benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over 700 000 properties are expected to benefit, representing 80% of all properties in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lifeline Tariff Customers using 350-600 units will pay R1,84 in this usage band, compared to R3,15 per unit in 2022-\u201923. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City has also upped the property value criteria to qualify for the Lifeline tariff, from R400 000 to R500 000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Important notice about the Lifeline Tariff<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customers who have moved from the Lifeline tariff to the Domestic tariff because their properties are now valued at more than R500 000 after the General Valuation (2022) may, however, qualify for rates rebates, indigent or pensioner support. If they do, they could receive their supply at the Lifeline tariff on application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n What can these customers do?<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Visit their local municipal office for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Apply to qualify for indigent benefits or for a pensioner \/ social grants rates rebate. Household income below R22 000 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Keep your usage below 450 kWh per month on average over a 12-month period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Limit purchases to below 600 kWh per month to help cope with the Eskom-driven price increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips to manage household bills<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reduce your geyser\u2019s temperature to 60 degrees Celsius to reduce costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buying electricity in bulk is not cheaper. Rather buy small amounts as required to stay on the cheaper tariff band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Use less, pay less<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents may qualify for indigent support if they:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 are a homeowner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 earn R7 500 or less per month<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 own only one property<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 are the full-time occupant of the home<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 use the home mainly for residential purposes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 are a child who lives in the home of a parent who has passed away<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 received the house in a divorce settlement<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 depend on a pension or a social grant for their livelihood<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Applicants will need:<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 proof of identification (ID book\/card or passport)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a bank statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bank account<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a bond statement for the last three months or a sworn affidavit stating that they do not have a bond account<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a copy of the estate documents if the applicant has inherited his or her house<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If residents are employed, they must also include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 latest salary \/ wage pay slip or a letter from an employer stating their income<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a sworn affidavit if they are self-employed stating how much is earned per month<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 proof if a disability grant, maintenance grant or pension is received<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If residents are unemployed, they must include the following in the application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a sworn affidavit stating that they are unemployed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 a sworn affidavit stating that they have no other source of income<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Useful contacts and information<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For rates or services relief<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visit: https:\/\/www.capetown.gov.za\/City-Connect\/Apply\/Financial-relief-and-rebates\/Individuals\/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief or a City customer office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Email: indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Pensioner rates relief<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pensioners (60 years +0 and people, who receive social grants or a pension of no more than R22 000 may qualify for a rates rebate of between 10% and 100%. Visit the nearest City customer care office or send an email to rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za or visit https:\/\/www.capetown.gov.za\/City-Connect\/Apply\/Financial-relief-and-rebates\/Individuals\/Apply-for-senior-citizen-suppo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the start of the new municipal financial year, applications are now open for rates and services 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