Online database for indigent benefits in South Africa coming SOON
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi wants to provide an e-register for free indigent benefits in South Africa to help the poor. Here’s more …
Indigent benefits in South Africa most often take the form of free or discounted electricity, water, refuse and municipal property rates. As The South African has reported previously, if you are struggling financially, you can contact your local municipality to explore the indigent benefits open to you.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, speaking this week at the Presidential Imbizo, has revealed he’s working on an online e-register for indigent benefits in South Africa. The Citizen reports that the province wants to lead the country in using technology to improve free government services.
INDIGENT BENEFITS IN SOUTH AFRICA
At the gathering of government and community members on the East Rand, Premier Lesufi said: “Soon we’ll launch an e-register for indigent benefits in South Africa. The planned online portal will link up all databases of government so free benefits due to our people can be accessed.”
Moreover, the premier explains he’s met with all the mayors in Gauteng to reach an agreement on the electronic register. The goal is to enable the poor to receive free government services but also identify those who are working and earning income and therefore trying to take advantage of system.
LAUNCHING SOON
“We are ready now to launch the e-register for indigent benefits in South Africa. Currently, despite being unemployed, there are many who can’t get free government benefits because they are not properly registered,” explained Lesufi. He gave no indication as to the timeline of the e-register and its parameters to qualify. Generally, the rule of thumb is if you receive a means-tested South African Social Security Agency, you’ll likely be eligible for free government services, too.
In the Western Cape, for example, indigent benefits look like so:
- Up to 100% refund on property rates.
- Free refuse collection.
- 15 000 litres of free water per month.
- 10 500 litres of free sewage services per month.
Besides updating the management of indigent benefits in South Africa, Premier Lesufi also promised free Wi-Fi in the townships. He also says the biggest challenge in the province is high youth unemployment. To that end, many major infrastructure projects in the province are expected to created thousands of jobs very soon.
DO YOU BENEFIT FROM FREE GOVERNMENT SERVICES?
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