In challenging economic times, every bit of financial relief can go a long way to assist families and their budgets. The City of Cape Town’s Budget, tabled for the 2020/21 financial year, again proposes a comprehensive social package of more than R3 billion for qualifying residents and pensioners who are 60 years old and above. Members of the public are encouraged to comment on this proposal as part of the City’s public participation process on the Budget, which is primarily being conducted through telephone and online channels, until 2 May 2020.
Residents will need to meet various criteria to be considered for assistance, relating to their monthly income, employment status, whether they are a pensioner or receive a social grant, and whether they are a full-time occupant of their home.
‘Our social package is there to assist our more vulnerable residents with rates and service charges. It is part of our commitment to being a well-run and caring city.
‘Residents, who don’t qualify for rates rebates or indigent benefits, but that are in arrears with their municipal accounts, do not need to struggle financially on their own. Representation can be made to the City for those who are struggling to pay their municipal accounts, to enter into an agreed arrangement/instalment plan to pay off their arrears. Account payments remain vital to help the City function during this time. The City is dependent on income from rates and services to ensure service delivery. Please pay your dues to help us function and fight COVID-19.
‘As always, we ask our customers to act proactively. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, especially when you consider there is help on offer. Please also have your say on our social package and comment by 2 May 2020,’ said Alderman Ian Neilson, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance.
To view the Draft Budget please visit https://bit.ly/2Ul5Pvm
To Have Your Say:
Forward comments to Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za by 2 May 2020.
For account payments
- The City encourages account holders to use the City’s online e-services portal to pay their accounts
- Other payment options available to account holders include paying online using their bank’s website or via ATM, at Nedbank
- The City is already listed as a beneficiary with all major banks, so account holders do not need to load bank details when paying online. Account holders can also register with www.paycity.co.za or www.easypay.co.za to pay accounts
- To pay via ATM, account holders can simply contact their bank to add the City as an ATM beneficiary
For information on how to apply for indigent relief please send an email to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za or visit www.capetown.gov.za/indigentbenefits.
How to apply?
Pensioners and social grant beneficiaries
Download the Application Form for Pensioners and Social Grant Beneficiaries at: Apply for senior citizen support
Please include with your application (note some of these documents might not be obtainable during the national lockdown):
- 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)
- Certified copies of ID of owner and spouse/partner
- Certified copy of lease agreement if your property or a portion of your property is being leased
- Certified copies of proof of pension (private and state pension)
- Certified copies of proof of investments or dividends
- Certified copies of proof of usufruct/habitation/executor/administrator or curator
- Certified copy of proof of trust document and income of all beneficiaries of the trust if applicable
- A certified copy of the applicant’s ID and proof of income for all owners is required if the property is registered in the names of multiple owners; together with a certified power of attorney permitting the applicant to act on behalf of the other owners in respect of the specific property
- A certified copy of the applicant’s (person residing’s) ID and certified proof of income for all other members if the property is registered as a close corporation (CC); in addition a certified letter permitting the applicant to act on behalf of the other owners in respect of the specific property
- A certified copy of death certificate or Will, if applicable
Indigent support
STEP 1: Download the Application for Indigent Support form at: Apply for indigent rates relief (restricted channels during lockdown).
STEP 2: Ensure relevant documentation is included with the application.
STEP 3: Submit to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za. When posting a form, a certified copy of your ID or other proof of identification needs to be included.
| Rates rebates for pensioners and social grant beneficiaries as of 1 July 2020 | ||
| Income bracket per month R | Rates rebate % | |
| 0 | 4 500 | 100 |
| 4 501 | 6 000 | 95 |
| 6001 | 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 |