The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is updating its indigent register and is therefore calling on all individuals who are struggling financially to register for the Expanded Social Package (ESP) benefits.
The ESP programme aims to help disadvantaged residents gain access to water, electricity, refuse removal and property rates rebates. The vulnerable groups who may benefit from this programme are: unemployed individuals, youth, persons with disabilities, displaced persons, senior citizens, and vulnerable women and children.
The registration process needs to be renewed every six months. Individuals who would like to continue to benefit from the programme need to re-register before the 15th of the sixth month because their information will not be carried over.
The programme works on levels; people with different levels of need will qualify for different levels of subsidy according to the City’s measure of poverty.
The metered services being offered as a part of the programme include water and electricity subsidies. Individuals do not need to be account holders or homeowners to qualify for the metered services.
The second portion of rebates covers non-metered services, such as property rebates. Pensioners (aged 60 and above) qualify for rates rebates on properties valued under R2,5 million (R2 500 000). However, the account must be in the name of the pensioner who is applying.
Working-aged citizens and unemployed individuals (aged 18 to 59) qualify for rates rebates on properties valued under R500 000.
The City has put forward the following criteria for residents to determine whether they qualify for the ESP benefit:
- You must be a South African Citizen
- You must live within the City of Johannesburg municipal boundaries
- Your monthly income should be less than R6 086,37
To register for the ESP, the following documents are required:
- South African Identity Document (ID)
- Proof of income, SASSA card, and three months latest bank statements. Alternatively, a sworn affidavit can be given confirming that you do not have a bank account or any other source of income (any other sources of income must be declared)
- Proof of residence
- City of Johannesburg Rates & Taxes Account
- City Power account, or prepaid meter card or meter number
- Eskom account or prepaid electricity documents
- Johannesburg Water account or prepaid account number (ITU number on the receipt)
If you do not have the above documents, a sworn affidavit must be provided.
Individuals who qualify for the ESP programme will also qualify for other City services and referral to several CoJ programmes, including skills development programmes, social service interventions, food resilience, youth programmes, and intervention programmes for the homeless.
For more information on how to register, log onto www.joburg.org.za and click on the campaigns tab.
Alternatively, contact the ESP Unit at espunit@joburg.org.za or 011 407 6688 or 011 407 6751.
Councillor for Ward 83, Florence Roberts has also come forward to say that she is willing to assist residents with the online applications or any information regarding the ESP programme if they meet the criteria. A
s the councillor for the Roodepoort ward with the most old age homes, Florence has said that it is sad to see that many residents who were previously financially stable now need help and are embarrassed to ask.
She has also seen that families who were once able to support their elderly parents can’t do it anymore, so if there is someone who would like to contact Florence on behalf of another family member they are also welcome to do so.
