Overstrand Municipality reminds vulnerable residents that they can apply for rates and services relief through the Municipality’s Indigent Support programme. Residents who meet the qualifying criteria may apply for an indigent subsidy on an ongoing basis and are encouraged to visit their nearest municipal rates hall to determine whether they qualify for assistance.

The indigent support programme is aimed at assisting qualifying low-income households with access to basic municipal services such as electricity, water, sewerage and refuse removal. The Municipality will verify the status of indigent households at least once a year to ensure that the qualifying requirements continue to be met. Where proof of eligibility cannot be provided, the subsidy may be cancelled with immediate effect.

1. Government-funded housing beneficiaries who occupy their properties are automatically registered as indigents and will be required to re-apply after one year.
2. Pensioners older than 60 years are no longer required to re-apply annually and will instead have their indigent status reviewed by the Municipality every three years.
3. Residents are encouraged to ensure that their contact details remain up to date with the Municipality. This will help ensure that they receive important communications and SMS notifications regarding the review and renewal of their indigent status.

 Criteria to Qualify for Indigent Support

To qualify for indigent support, applicants must:

• Occupy the property as their primary residence.
• Be a South African citizen.
• Have a total household income that does not exceed four times the Government Old Age Pension amount plus R1 per month. Income includes that of the occupier and spouse/life partner.
• Use no more than an average of 500 kWh of electricity per month over the previous three months.
• Use no more than an average of 20 kℓ of water per month over the previous three months, or agree to the installation of a flow limiter water meter.
• Own no more than one property, except where the second property is an undeveloped stand in a wetland area where development is impossible.
• Use the property solely for residential purposes.

Important Provisions

The following grants are excluded when determining qualifying income: disability grants, war veterans’ grants, care dependency grants, foster child grants, child support grants, grant-in-aid, social relief of distress grants and the additional grant paid to persons older than 70 years.

Pensioners older than 60 years may qualify for a deduction of medical aid contributions when income is assessed.

Seasonal and quota workers will have their income calculated over a 12-month period to determine an average monthly income.

What do you get if you qualify?

Qualifying households may receive the following assistance:

• 100% subsidy on the basic electricity charge (30 Amp service point).
• The first 70 kWh of electricity free each month.
• 100% subsidy on the basic water charge.
• 10 kℓ of water free per month.
• 100% subsidy on the basic sewerage charge.
• Sewerage assistance equivalent to 7 kℓ of water consumption, or one vacuum tanker service per month where sewer connections are unavailable.
• One free after-hours vacuum tanker service per year.
• 100% subsidy on the basic refuse removal charge.
• A subsidy towards the infrastructure levy.

Documentation Required

Applications for indigent support must be accompanied by the following documentation:

• Latest municipal account.
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of total household income, such as a salary slip, pension documentation, UIF card or a letter from an employer.
• Where the applicant is not the account holder, an affidavit confirming responsibility for the account together with a letter from the account holder.
• In the case of a deceased estate, the relevant executor’s letter or letter of authority and supporting documentation.
• In the case of beneficiaries of government-funded housing projects, confirmation of beneficiary status from the Municipality’s Housing Department.
• A completed sworn statement forming part of the application form.

Please note that incomplete applications or applications submitted without the required supporting documentation will not be considered.

Think you qualify?

Assistance is available at community halls with extended weekday hours and some Saturdays. Indigent grant consumers may visit any municipal office in Gansbaai, Stanford, Hermanus, or Kleinmond during the week. Accounts are deferred while applications are processed, meaning electricity usage continues and no penalties apply during the review.

For more information, contact the Overstrand Municipality financial Department on 028 313 8000 or Email: enquiries@overstrand.gov.za