Apply for indigent support

Apply for indigent support

20 August 2026

Whether you qualify for indigent support depends on your monthly household income. If your total household income is R7 500 or less per month, you could qualify for a discount on your water, sewerage, electricity, waste collection and property rates.

Important information

The following applies to indigent support applications:

  • If you choose to post your application to us, ensure that you send us a certified copy of your identity document/other proof of identity. Do not send us the original document.
  • Once you have successfully registered as indigent, you only need to re-apply every 12 months from the date of approval. For residents 60 years and older, including applicants who are 59 years of age and turning 60 years old in the year of making application, the registration will be valid for about three years, until the next General Valuation.

The following applies to pensioner or social grant rebate applications:

  • Registered owners of residential properties and Life Right Holders in Sectional Title schemes with properties that are separately valued, who are dependent on pensions or social grants may qualify for special rebates according to the gross monthly household income of the owner and spouse or partner.
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Please note

Council may conduct an investigation to verify any information provided with any person or organisation, and may include an on-site visit by a municipal official.

Apply for indigent support

Step 1: Download the application for indigent support from the document downloads section below, or collect the form from your nearest walk-in centre.

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CLEAR YOUR DEBT

If you owe the municipality money you may qualify for a once-off 100% cancellation of your debt. This only applies if you have a prepaid electricity meter. As part of the indigent benefits, these devices will be installed at your property for free.

​​​​​​Include the following with your application:

  • proof of identification (ID/Passport) 
  • a bank statement for the last three months and a declaration listing your bank account(s) and confirming that you do not have any other bank accounts or a declaration confirming that you do not have a bank account 
  • a bond statement for the last three months for all properties owned by you or a declaration that you do not have a bond account 
  • consent to have meters installed. (Only applicable if a prepaid electricity meter has not yet been installed). 
  • if you have inherited the house, a copy of the estate documents​

If you are employed, include the following in your application:

  • latest salary/wage payslip or a letter from an employer stating your income;
  • if you are self-employed, a declaration stating how much you earn per month; and
  • proof if you receive a disability grant, maintenance grant or pension.

If you are unemployed, include the following in your application:

  • a declaration stating that you are unemployed; and
  • a declaration stating that you have no other source of income.

Step 2: Once you have completed the form, you can submit via one of the following channels:

In person
Submit your application form at any of our walk-in centres.

Email
Submit your application form via email to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za.

Post
Post your application form to:

Director: Revenue
City of Cape Town
PO BOX 655
Cape Town
8000

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Please note

If you have already applied for a rates rebate as a property owner who is dependent on pension or a social grant for your livelihood, it will be cancelled and replaced with the indigent support rates rebate - provided that you have applied and qualify for indigent support.

Contact us

City Call Centre

Telephone:
0860 103 089

Document downloads

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