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 so far applied for pensioner rebates on their properties as of 9 November 2023.
Kgamanyane Maphologela, Group Finance’s Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement says, the City has so far granted the rebates to 15 448 successful applicants. Maphologela says the City is working around the clock to finalize all 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 all the applications,” says Maphologela.
Maphologela says it is important for all customers to continue paying for municipal services until their applications for pensioner rebates are successful and granted. Having an objection lodged or a pending pensioner rebate application does not mean that it is automatically approved. Only once written correspondence to this effect is received can a property owner start paying on either reduced property value, pensioner rebate on rates or both.
Maphologela says all 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,” says Maphologela.
Pensioner’s rebate application forms are available from any municipal Customer Service Centre or on www.joburg.org.za
Relief the City offers to residents on different services. 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 to receive 6 kilolitres of free water.
- Properties valued at R350 000 and below will be exempted from paying waste charges.
Pensioners between ages 60 – 69
· Pensioners whose gross monthly household income is lower than R11 904 and the property value up to R 1.5 million (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000) for pensioners from the age of 60.
· Qualify for 100% rates rebate up to market value of R1.5 million (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 R1.5 million.
· Pensioners whose gross monthly household income is more than R11 904, but equal or less than R20 404, and the property value up to R 1.5 million (inclusive of the residential threshold value of R300 000) for pensioners from the age of 60.
· Qualify for 50% rates rebate up to market value of R1.5 million (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 R1.5 million.
Pensioners of 70 years and above
- Income levels are not considered.
- Qualifies for 100% rates rebate up to market value of R2 million (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 R2million.
INFO SUPPLIED.
