Cape Town urges low-income residents to apply for rates relief
City of Cape Town encourages households earning under R7 500 monthly to seek assistance with municipal bills.
Cape Town is encouraging households with a combined monthly income below R7 500 to apply for the City’s indigent grant. This follows a General Valuation that increased some property values, leading to changes in electricity tariffs and new refuse removal charges for certain residents. The city offers relief on property rates, water, sanitation, and refuse removal for qualifying applicants.
Approved applicants can receive monthly assistance for electricity consumption below 250kWh, or 450kWh for prepaid meter users, excluding Eskom customers. Property owners whose valuations now exceed R620 000 are responsible for property rates and all applicable services unless they qualify for assistance. Those with property values between R500 001 and R620 000 may see shifts from the Lifeline to the Domestic electricity tariff, potentially incurring refuse charges.
The City of Cape Town warns that unpaid refuse charges could lead to debt deductions from electricity purchases and further debt collection actions. Residents whose property values have increased are urged to apply for indigent benefits if their household income is below R7 500 per month. The indigent grant applies only to the first refuse bin registered on a property.
Why it mattersCape Town households earning less than R7 500 monthly may face increased municipal bills due to property value changes and new service charges.