City of Cape Town offers rates relief

The City of Cape Town has launched a new initiative to assist those in need of discounts and rebates on their rates. Water, electricity, sewerage, waste collection and property rates will be financed through the municipality’s new indigent support system.

Capetonians are qualified to apply for indigent support if they earn R6000 or less per month and own property. The municipality will then assess whether you qualify for a 100% rebate or if you only need assistance with paying monthly rates.

Residents who earn R4000 or less per month can qualify for 100% rates cut, and those who earn between R4000 and R6000 a month may qualify for anything between 25% and 75% indigent rates support.

You may qualify as an indigent if you meet some of the following criteria:

• You own one property

• You are the full-time occupant of the home

• You use the home for residential purposes

• You struggle to pay your monthly municipal accounts

• You are a child living in the home of a deceased parent

• You were awarded the property in a divorce settlement

If your property is valued at less than R200 000 and you are granted indigent rates relief, then you will no longer have to pay municipal rates. If your property is valued at more than R200 000, then you will not have to pay rates on the first R200 000 of the property.

If you think that you may meet the criteria to apply for indigent rates relief, then submit an application to the City of Cape Town by following these steps:

• Download the Application for Indigent Support document from the City of Cape Town website, or collect the document from your nearest municipal office.

• Along with your completed application, you need to submit:

1. A proof of identification

2. A three-month bank statement, or a sworn affidavit stating that you do not have a bond account

3. A copy of the estate documents

• If you are currently employed, you’ll also need to submit:

1. Your latest salary payslip or a letter from an employer confirming your income

2. If you are self-employed, a sworn affidavit stating your monthly salary

3. If you receive a disability grant, maintenance grant or pension, proof of such grants needs to be submitted

• If you are currently unemployed, you’ll need to submit:

1. A sworn affidavit stating that you are unemployed

2. A sworn affidavit stating that you have no other source of income

If you meet these criteria and need assistance from the local government to pay your monthly municipal rates, then submit the necessary documentation and await the City of Cape Town’s response. This rates support initiative will provide some welcome relief to many citizens who struggle to make ends meet.

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