GEORGE NEWS - Do you struggle to pay your municipal basic service charges? Help is available! 

George Municipality cares and offers various means you can make use of to lighten your burden: 

Indigent subsidy

Council recognises that many residents cannot afford the full cost of services. The indigent subsidy is aimed at:

• Providing subsidy for basic service charges to the needy or qualifying indigent households.
• Ensuring affordability by subsidising tariffs.
• Providing procedures and guidelines for the allocation of the subsidy.
• Providing subsidy in a sustainable manner, within the financial and administrative capacity of Council.

Application requirements for indigent subsidy

• You must reapply every year. 
• The income from everyone in your household is assessed.
• The total household income may not exceed 2 x state pension (Sassa).
• Applicants must be full-time occupants.
• Applicants may not own any other property in SA.
• Applicants may not be a director of a company or in business.
• The subsidy only applies to property used for residential purposes.

New electronic application process

• Only electronic applications will be accepted, to effectively record and keep track of the status of your application.
• No more hard copy applications to be filled in. Our officials will assist you with the electronic application.

Subsidy of services categories (only residential properties) 

• Water – 100% subsidy on the basic charge and 6kl per month, per household.
• Electricity – 100% subsidy up to 70kWh per month, per household.
• Refuse removal – 100% subsidy per month.
• Sewage disposal – 100% subsidy per month.

Leakages, repairs and installation costs

The cost of the below can be recovered from the Equitable Share Grant.

• Water leakages
• Electricity meter problems
• Sewerage problems
• Conversion to pre-paid meter (PPM) as customers receiving the indigent subsidy must have a PPM
• Installation of smart and /or split meters

Arrears on indigent accounts

After the indigent application is received and approved,

• All services related to arrears will be written off (once-off only),
• Indigent customers will be placed on restricted service levels (the PPM is blocked to limit escalation of debt)
• If the account is settled, restrictions will be lifted,
• Customers not fulfilling their responsibility with regard to the arrear debt:

• Will be placed on the pre-paid meter,
• Up to 50% of electricity purchased will be allocated to the arrear debt.

Household visits:

Household visits are available to all elderly occupants or disabled occupants who require assistance at home with the online indigent application.

Where can I apply? 

Main municipal building (cashier hall), an area office near you or at the debt pack office (Millwood Building, 83 Victoria Street, George)

Contacts:

044 801 9029 (George Municipality) 041 450 8676 (Debt Pack)

indigentsupport@george.gov.za kobusdk@debtpack.com

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’