How to Apply for Indigent Services at Your Municipality
The indigent services programme allows low-income South African households to access free basic electricity, free basic water, and subsidised municipal rates and services. Qualifying households must register on their municipality's indigent register. This guide explains who qualifies and how to apply.
Qualifying households earning less than R3,500 per month may be eligible for free basic electricity (50 kWh/month), free basic water (6 kl/month), and rates subsidies.
What Are Indigent Services?
Indigent services are a package of subsidised or free municipal services provided to households that fall below a certain income threshold. The national policy sets the guideline that households earning less than two old-age pension grant amounts per month (approximately R3,500 per month in 2026) may qualify.
Benefits typically include Free Basic Electricity (50 kWh per month), Free Basic Water (6 kilolitres per month, plus additional subsidised water), waiver or reduction of fixed municipal service charges, and rates rebates on the property.
Who Qualifies for Indigent Status?
- Combined household income below the municipality's indigent threshold (typically below R3,500 per month in 2026)
- The property must be used primarily for residential purposes
- The applicant must be the registered owner or tenant of the property
- The property's municipal value must be below the municipality's set threshold in some cases
- SASSA grant recipients (old-age pension, disability grant, child support) often qualify automatically
- Unemployed households with no income generally qualify
Documents Required for the Application
- Completed indigent application form (obtain from the municipality)
- Certified copy of the applicant's South African ID document
- Proof of residential address (rates account, utility bill, or affidavit)
- Proof of income for all household members (payslips, SASSA grant letters, bank statements)
- An affidavit stating household income if employed informally or unemployed
- Municipal account number
- Details of all household members including their IDs and income
How to Apply Step by Step
- Obtain an indigent application form from your local municipal customer service centre.
- Complete the form in full for all household members.
- Gather all required supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application at the municipality's revenue or social services department.
- The municipality may conduct a home visit to verify your circumstances.
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application in writing.
- If approved, your free basic services will be activated on your account, usually within 30 days.
- Renew your registration annually as required by the municipality.
Benefits of Indigent Registration
| Service | Standard Benefit | Additional Indigent Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Pay standard tariff | 50 kWh free per month |
| Water | 6 kl free per month | Additional kl subsidised or free |
| Sewerage | Pay full charge | Fixed charge waived or reduced |
| Refuse removal | Pay full charge | Fixed charge waived or reduced |
| Property rates | Pay full assessment | Rebate or full exemption |
Providing false information on an indigent application is a criminal offence. Municipalities audit indigent registers regularly. Fraudulent claimants will be removed and may face prosecution.
Annual Renewal and Changes in Circumstances
Indigent registration must be renewed annually. Your municipality will notify you of the renewal date. Failure to renew will result in suspension of your free basic services.
If your financial circumstances change and your income rises above the qualifying threshold, you are legally obligated to notify the municipality and deregister from the indigent register. Claiming indigent benefits while no longer qualifying is fraud.