Government

Good news for pensioners living in Cape Town

Caitlyn Hilliard-Lomas

 ·3 Sep 2026

The City of Cape Town has announced that the deadline for pensioner rates relief applications has been extended to 30 November 2026.

Registered owners of residential properties who rely on pensions or social grants may qualify for special rebates based on the gross monthly household income of all residents living at that property.

If a person is 60 years or older, depends on a pension or social grant, and has a gross monthly income of R10,000 or less, they may qualify for a 100% rate rebate. 

If a pensioner earns more than R10,001 but no more than R27,000 a month, they may be eligible for a rates rebate ranging from 10% to 90%.

The City is urging pensioners and social grant recipients to apply for property rates relief before 30 November 2026. 

The City said that qualifying residents will be charged in full until their applications have been approved. 

They will, however, receive a credit adjustment on their next account once their applications have been processed, as the benefits will be backdated to 1 July.  

After the General Valuation in 2025, all pensioners and social grant beneficiaries must have their benefits renewed. The status of these benefits will remain valid until June 30, 2029.

To determine eligibility, the City of Cape Town said applicants must declare and provide proof of all sources of income, including:

• Private pension income.
• Investments and dividends.
• SASSA grant slip or confirmation letter.
• Proof of income for both the property owner and spouse/partner (where applicable).
• Bank statements for the past three months for all accounts held at any financial institution.

Recipients can collect application forms from walk-in centres, from the City’s website and the chatbox (+27 60 042 5572).

Recipients can deliver applications to the nearest City walk-in centre or email completed applications to [email protected].

“It is necessary to reapply for assistance after a new General Valuation. The City is legally bound to check the financial status of beneficiaries to confirm that they meet the requirements for social package assistance,” said the City.

“We thank everyone for their patience as our teams continue to work through high volumes of applications,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Siseko Mbandezi.

The City of Cape Town is offering pensioner rebate relief to Life Right Holders of separately valued Sectional Title Schemes. 

Residents aged 60 and older with a household income of up to R27,000 may qualify for this rate relief.

In the future, this same benefit will also be extended to Life Right Holders of freehold properties once those properties are valued separately.

Pensioner rate relief offers senior citizens discounts or rebates on property rates in major South African municipalities, including the City of Tshwane, the City of Johannesburg, and the City of Cape Town.