What SmartCommute™ actually feels like, step by step
From sign-up to your first payment — the lived experience, not just the policy.
Your HR or payroll team confirms your participation and tier on the Employee Acceptance Form — based on your commute, not a guess. You don't need to apply or fill in anything yourself.
Before the first payment, you're told what's coming: your tier, the amount, and that it'll appear as a separate "Social Ex Gratia Payment" line on your payslip — not folded invisibly into your normal salary.
CDII issues a Disbursement Notice to your employer, and the payment runs at least 5 business days before your normal salary — so the money is there when transport costs hit, not after.
PAYE is deducted at your marginal rate under SARS Code 3601, exactly like other taxable income. It shows up on your IRP5 at year-end. No surprises, no separate tax process to manage yourself.
Payments continue monthly through the programme period — 1 July to 30 September 2026 — then the programme automatically sunsets, unless your employer and CDII agree to extend it.
Want to see the numbers?
Calculate what your tier means for your take-home pay.
Calculate your savings