FLISP Subsidy Calculator
The Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) pays a once-off subsidy toward a home loan or serviced stand for first-time buyers earning between R3,501 and R22,000 a month. Enter your gross monthly income to see the band you fall into and the subsidy amount.
Your income and home loan
FLISP subsidy bands 2026
FLISP uses a sliding scale: the lower your income, the larger the subsidy. Anyone earning below R3,501 or above R22,000 a month does not qualify (that lower band falls under the Breaking New Ground / RDP housing programme instead).
The full FLISP band table
The subsidy is calculated on your combined gross household income (both spouses if applying jointly). Bands are re-issued each year with inflation adjustments — the amounts below are for 2026.
| Monthly household income | Once-off FLISP subsidy | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| R3,501 - R7,000 | R121,626 | Covers most of a starter bond deposit or an RDP-upgrade transfer. |
| R7,001 - R10,000 | R99,754 | Bond reducer for a first flat or townhouse purchase up to ~R650k. |
| R10,001 - R15,000 | R78,240 | Deposit help on a first house purchase up to ~R950k. |
| R15,001 - R22,000 | R33,138 → R27,960 (tapered) | Reduces your bond by the equivalent of a year of levy payments. |
| Below R3,501 | Not eligible for FLISP | Apply for a fully subsidised RDP / BNG house through your provincial housing department. |
| Above R22,000 | Not eligible for FLISP | Standard first-home bond finance is your route (some banks still offer 100% bonds). |
Who qualifies
- South African citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older.
- First-time home buyer — neither you nor your spouse has ever owned property, anywhere.
- Have dependants (spouse, children, or family members living with you). Single applicants without dependants do not qualify unless they have a proven disability.
- Bond approved by a South African bank or the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC). FLISP is disbursed after bond registration.
- Property price under R1.8 million in most provinces (some metros have higher ceilings). Property must be your primary residence.
How to apply, step by step
- Get pre-approved for a bond. FLISP will not process an application without a bond pre-approval letter. Use a bond originator (BetterBond, ooba) or apply directly with your bank.
- Find your home and sign the OTP. The offer to purchase (OTP) needs to be within the R1.8m ceiling.
- Confirm the bond. Submit the OTP to the bank for a formal bond grant, not just pre-approval.
- Submit your FLISP application through your bank, the NHFC portal, or your provincial Department of Human Settlements. Include ID, marriage certificate (if joint), payslips, bank statements, bond grant letter, OTP, and proof of dependants.
- Wait for the subsidy grant letter (typical turnaround: 30 to 90 days).
- Attorney applies the subsidy at bond registration — the NHFC pays it directly to your bond account, reducing your monthly instalment from day one.
Common rejection reasons
- Property already registered. FLISP must be lodged before transfer. Once the property is in your name, you have missed the window.
- No bond grant letter. Pre-approval is not enough — the bank must have formally granted the bond against the specific property.
- Applicant previously owned property (even inherited, even briefly). This is the most common rejection reason. Deeds Office records are checked.
- Property outside the price cap or intended as a rental / second home.
- Household income miscalculated. Bonuses, overtime, and commission must all be included — understating income to fit a band is fraud.
Frequently asked questions
Is FLISP still called that in 2026?
The programme is now officially branded First Home Finance (FHF) under the Department of Human Settlements. "FLISP" remains the common name and most banks and estate agents still use it interchangeably.
Can I use FLISP to buy vacant land?
Yes. FLISP covers the purchase of a serviced residential stand as long as you sign a building contract within 12 months. The subsidy releases in phases.
Does FLISP pay the transfer or bond registration costs?
No, FLISP is applied to the bond, not to attorney fees. Some provincial add-on programmes cover legal costs for lower-income bands — ask your bank.
My spouse and I earn R14,000 combined. Which band?
You fall in the R10,001-R15,000 band and would qualify for approximately R78,240 as a once-off subsidy. The calculator above confirms this.
Can I apply for FLISP without a bank bond?
Yes, through the NHFC's own bond product for applicants that banks decline. The subsidy amount is the same, only the lender differs.
How long does it take from application to money in the bond?
Typical timeline is 60 to 90 days after your bond is formally granted. The subsidy is not paid to you in cash — it goes directly to the bond account.