COJ’s Expanded Social Package Rebates
Originally Published 4 June 2020.
By Chantelle Gladwin-Wood (Partner),
Thiavna Subroyen (Associate) and
Emshareed Botes (Paralegal)
30 October 2024
INTRODUCTION
The Expanded Social Package (ESP) is a bundle of rebates designed by the City of Johannesburg (‘’the City’’) to provide relief to vulnerable consumers such as unemployed persons, the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, youth, children and displaced persons who are owners/occupants of properties within the jurisdiction of the City.
These persons can also be referred to as “indigent” residents and do not need to be account holders to qualify for metered services.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES THE ESP OFFER TO RESIDENTS?
The ESP aims to assist qualifying citizens with property based benefits and social services intervention, in terms of a tiered system which considers the level of poverty of the consumer concerned.
In the case of property-based rates and other charges, the ESP allows for rebates on water, electricity, refuse and sewer charges.
In addition to the property based charges rebate, indigent persons may also apply for social interventions such as food parcels, social worker visits, home visitation for frail/bedridden patients, skills development training and children’s services.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
In order to qualify for the ESP, the individual or household must:
- Be a South African citizen;
- Reside within the City’s jurisdiction; and
- Be unemployed or derive a monthly income of less than R 6 281.13.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION
OTHER SERVICES
Customers can approach their nearest walk-in centre for an application form, alternatively the application form can be obtained online and completed electronically on the following link: https://share.hsforms.com/18UOtrr69T8exh4600r1bWQ469tl
Along with the application form, the customer must submit the following supporting documentation:
- Certified copy of Identity document;
- Proof of income;
- A certified copy of the customer’s SASSA card;
- Certified copy of bank statements from the last three months or a sworn affidavit that the applicant does not have a bank account or a source of income;
- Proof of residence;
- Copy of City’s rates and taxes account;
- Copy of Eskom account/ prepaid meter number;
- Copy of City Power Account/ Prepaid meter account;
- Johannesburg Water Account/ prepaid meter number.
Applicants who wish to receive the continued ESP benefit must reapply every 6 months and are encouraged to apply between the 1st and 15th of the month to receive benefits in the following month. Applications made between the 15th and 30/31st day of the month will benefit in the subsequent month.
CONCLUSION
In the midst of price hikes and economic strain, financially strapped residents of the City are encouraged to apply for the ESP benefit to lighten the burden of municipal property charges, as well as to reap from the benefits of social services to assist in improving their standard of living.