Municipal indigent support programme explained
Residents who are not able to pay their municipal account can register for the municipality’s indigent support programme
POLOKWANE – The indigent support programme is intended to give financial support to the poor and child headed households within the Polokwane Municipality.
In a previous article Matshidiso Mothapo, head of communication and marketing, explained that the indigent support programme is intended to give financial support in respect of municipal accounts to households that earn less than R3 500 a month. The policy has been reviewed to also cater for child headed families and the disabled.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/272181/just-polokwane-municipality-cancels-indigent-bills/
To qualify as an ‘indigent household’, a household must comply with all the following criteria as per the municipality’s Indigent and Social Support Policy:
a) The total household income may not exceed the sum of two times the amount of state funded social grants plus two child grants currently as determined by the National Treasury of RSA from time to time.
b) The municipal account holder must be a permanent resident of Polokwane
c) The occupants of the household must be a South African citizen
d) The applicant may not be the registered owner of more than one property
e) The property may only be used for residential purposes
f) The applicant may not necessarily be the owner of the property but could also be the occupier, or a child-headed family
g) The property value in which the applicant is residing should not exceed R 1.5 million or the figure to be determined by council from time to time as per municipal property
valuer.
Qualifying poor households will receive the following rebates or benefit support per month:
• 100% rebate of the basic levy for electricity per month
• 100% rebate of the basic levy for water per month
• 100% rebate of the basic levy for sewerage per month
• 100% rebate of the basic levies for refuse removal per month
• 100kWh of worth of electricity per month in urban and 50kWh in Eskom supply area
• 6kl free water per month
How to apply:
The customer may apply in person at a customer care office of the Municipality on the prescribed forms and have a proof of the account holder’s identity, such as the latest municipal account of the household (property). A proof of income of the account holder (e.g. a letter from his / her employer, salary slip / envelope, pension card, unemployment insurance fund (UIF) card) is also required.
The following is also required:
• A written proof of child-headed family or letter of authority from a Social Worker, and/or Traditional leader and Ward Councillor where the property is situated.
• A proof of medical condition when requiring additional water and electricity.
• A bank statement for the past three months of the applicant and spouse where applicable.
• Any other proof or confirmation/ evidencing the qualification as indigent.
• Sworn Affidavits that Gross household income is less than the threshold set by council and that the information supplied is true and all income is declared.
Should the account holder be unable to apply in person, due to medical reasons, his / her application may be certified by a commissioner of oaths, or a community worker. Application form when applicable.
A person who provides false information will be disqualified and be refused further participation in the subsidy scheme. In addition, he / she will be held liable for the immediate re-payment of any subsidies already granted and legal action, civil or criminal may be instituted against the guilty party/parties.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/272184/take-note-polokwane-municipality-reduces-re-connection-fee-20/
