Close to 40 000 pensioners apply for City of Joburg rebates
There are just over 15 000 successful applicants.
The City of Johannesburg has seen a sharp increase in the number of pensioners who have applied for pensioner’s rebates this year.
At least 39 078 applicants have applied for pensioner rebates on their properties as of November 9.
Kgamanyane Maphologela, group finance director for communications and stakeholder engagement, said the city has so far granted the rebates to 15 448 successful applicants.
Maphologela said the city was working around the clock to complete the applications.
“We have seen a spike in the number of pensioners who have applied for the rebates, making inquiries and follow-ups about the status of their applications. We wish to advise them to be patient as we work around the clock to process the applications,” said Maphologela.
Maphologela said it was important that customers continued paying for municipal services until their applications for pensioner rebates were successful and granted. Having an objection lodged or a pending pensioner rebate application does not mean it is automatically approved. Only once written correspondence to this effect is received can a property owner pay on either reduced property value, pensioner rebate on rates or both.
Maphologela said accounts related to unprocessed pensioner rebate applications are flagged for no credit control actions.
“Once an application is granted or approved, it will reflect on the statement and the account will be adjusted accordingly,” said Maphologela.
Pensioner’s rebate application forms are available from any municipal Customer Service Centre or on www.joburg.org.za
The applicant must meet the following criteria:
• Be the registered owner of the property.
• The owner must own and occupy the property.
• Be 60 years of age or older upon application.
• Submit a certified copy of a valid identity document as proof of his/her age.
• Submit proof of his/her monthly income from all sources, including the income of his/her spouse.
• All residential properties under the R300 000 threshold will be exempted from paying rates.
• Residents are to receive six kilolitres of free water.
• Properties valued at R350 000 and below will be exempted from paying waste charges.
Pensioners between 60 to 69
• Pensioners whose gross monthly household income is lower than R11 904 and the property value is up to R 1.5m (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000) for pensioners from the age of 60.
• Qualify for 100% rates rebate up to the market value of R1.5m (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000). Rates will be levied on the balance of the values of the properties that exceed R1.5 million.
• Pensioners whose gross monthly household income is more than R11 904, but equal to or less than R20 404 and a property value up to R 1.5m (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000) for pensioners from the age of 60.
• Qualify for a 50% rates rebate up to the market value of R1.5m (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000). Rates will be levied on the balance of the values of the properties that exceed the R1.5m.
Pensioners 70 years and above
• Income levels are not considered.
• Qualifies for 100% rates rebate up to the market value of R2m (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000). Rates will be levied on the balance of the values of the properties that exceed the R2m.
