City of Johannesburg Expanded Social Package

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ESP Expanded Social Package

City of Johannesburg Expanded Social Package

As a pro poor government the City is offering the Expanded Social Package (ESP) to its most vulnerable residents such as the unemployed, displaced persons, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and women and children. The ESP is a basket of benefits which the City allocates to poor individuals and the households in which they live, based on their level of poverty. Currently these are subsidies for metered service benefits that is water and electricity and non- metered services that is rates, sanitation and refuse removal. The system also refers citizens who register to a range of other social programmes based on their specific problems and needs such as skills development, social service interventions, food resilience, youth programmes and intervention programmes for the homeless.

This rebate applies to owners of residential properties, South African Citizens who have limited income and who are not pensioners, but can show that his or her annual income falls below the limit determined by Council.
The owner must apply for the Expanded Social Package and re-register every six months with such proof as the Council may reasonably require to substantiate any entitlement to a rebate contemplated in this category. If the client does not re-register, he/she will not receive continued rebates.

The conditions are as follows:

(i) The owners must own and occupy the property concerned, reside within the boundaries of the City of Joburg. Their individual monthly income should not exceed R5 852.28 (This changes annually on 01 November in line with the CPIX).

(ii) The owners must achieve a score on the City of Johannesburg Poverty Index as specified below. The extent of the rebate will depend on the applicant’s score on the City of Johannesburg Poverty Index:
Greater than zero but not exceeding 34 points: 70% of the current monthly rate;

Greater than 35 points: 100% of the current monthly rate.

(iii) The value of the property may not exceed R500 000.00 (five hundred thousand rand)

Pensioners (60years plus) who own property valued under R2.5million qualify for rates, sewer and refuse removal rebates. Working age citizens (18-59 years) will also qualify for these rebates provided that they are registered account holders and the property value does not exceed R500 000.

Registration for the ESP is already open at most of the City’s revenue centres, some clinics, recreation and skills centres. Individuals are encouraged to register on or before the 15th of the month in order to receive benefits in the next month. It is critical that individuals re-register every six months for continuous benefits.

The system targets South African citizens living within the boundaries of Johannesburg with an income not exceeding R5825.28 per month. Certain documents are required for registration.

For information on the registration centres, log onto www.joburg.org.za and click on the campaigns tab.

The City of Johannesburg is calling on all eligible individuals to register for ESP.

Pensioners on the Expanded Social Package

Expanded Social Package pensioners who live in a property not more than R2.5 million will qualify for 100% rebates.
Pensioners who receive the ESP metered and non-metered service rebates will not receive the pensioner property rates rebate automatically, they must apply for pensioner property rates rebate, using the pensioner property rates application form. The pensioner rebate is applicable from the date of application and will remain valid for the duration of the general valuation roll which is ending, 30 June 2022.

The current general valuation roll (GV2018) is valid effectively from the 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2022.

All approved pensioner’s rebates will be valid up until a new general valuation roll replaces GV2018. Subsequent to that, the pensioner will be required to re-apply following the normal process.

For more information on the Expanded Social Package registration process:

Click here


Expanded Social Package registration sites:
Click here

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MORE INFORMATION AND ESP FORMS CLICK HERE 

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