{"id":233766,"date":"2021-07-16T16:47:24","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T15:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/?p=233766"},"modified":"2021-07-16T16:47:30","modified_gmt":"2021-07-16T15:47:30","slug":"everything-you-should-know-about-sassa-grants-and-payment-procedure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/everything-you-should-know-about-sassa-grants-and-payment-procedure\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Should Know About SASSA Grants and Payment Procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"

International humanitarian bodies like the United Nations (UN) have, over the years, shown a commitment to fighting and eradicating poverty in the world, especially the third world nations, through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other charitable endeavors. In the same way, the government of nations – at all levels – strive to eliminate extreme poverty in their countries. Countries like China and Vietnam have recorded tremendous success in poverty eradication in their countries, while others like South Africa are still on their way to reducing the poverty trajectory among the populace.<\/p>\n

One way South Africa seeks to achieve this is by setting up government programs and creating economic empowerment agencies such as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which was formed as a subsidiary of the South African Department of Social Development (DSD). The SASSA was set up to improve the welfare of the people by giving out different categories of grants – in the form of money, food parcels, or food vouchers – to those who couldn’t afford them. The agency ensures that applications for SASSA grants in the various categories are properly screened and the applicants verified to reduce incidents of fraud. This is totally in line with the slogan of SASSA – giving the right grants to the right people at the right time.<\/span><\/p>\n

SASSA Was Created By The Department of Social Development (DSD) In 2005<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 1997, the Department of Social Development (DSD) discovered that the social welfare program inherited by the post-apartheid national government was under-resourced and not a critical social investment priority. This made the department – whose responsibility is to assist the poor and vulnerable – create the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in 2005.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SASSA<\/a><\/p>\n

SASSA<\/span> was created to assist the DSD in distributing grants to citizens, permanent residents, and refugees, and it also reports to the DSD. But even though the SASSA was created as a branch of the DSD, with the latter overseeing the duties of the SASSA, it is still an independent government agency and is not under the control of the DSD.<\/span><\/p>\n

The major responsibilities of the SA Social Security Agency as mandated by the Social Assistance Act of 2004 are to receive applications of prospective beneficiaries, review and verify applications, select those who they deem worthy of the grants based on their requirements, and then distribute these funds to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although SASSA was created in 2005, the DSD was already giving out grants by 2001, and there were up to 3.8 million beneficiaries as of that time. However, in 2006, one year after SASSA was created, the number increased to up to 11 million, and as of 2017, SASSA grants have up to 17 million beneficiaries. In 2020, when many people were in dire need of assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SASSA created a special COVID-19 relief fund that saved millions of people from poverty.<\/span><\/p>\n

In carrying out their duties, the SASSA has faced some challenges and has had to deal with fraudsters who try to dupe beneficiaries of their funds. However, they have continued to evolve as they try to ensure that the process is more secure and the grants get to those who really need them.<\/span><\/p>\n

SASSA Grants Are Categorized And Targeted At Different Classes Of People<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To ensure that they give out grants to the right people who need them, the SASSA has categorized their grants. Therefore, before applying, one has to know what category best suits their need. Each of these categories has different requirements, but there are general requirements for applying. Here is a brief overview of all the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Child Care Dependency Grant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Child Care Dependency Grant is for parents who have a child or children who are not up to 18 years old and are totally dependent on them due to a disability. The government currently gives monetary support of R1,860 per month to the parents or primary caregivers of such children. As a parent, you must provide the child’s birth certificate or your ID document. In the absence of either of these, then you can file an affidavit that will be given to you by SASSA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, a medical diagnosis and assessment confirming that the child is actually disabled are important. Another essential document for this grant category is a document like a marriage certificate or divorce order that shows the relationship between the parents (for those who are married).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both parents must also pass the Means test to ensure that they are truly not financially able to take care of the child. As a single parent, you must not earn more than R16,900 per month, and for married couples, your combined income should not exceed R33,800 per month to qualify for the Grant.<\/p>\n

If the child’s actual parents are not the applicant, the caregiver must provide a document or proof that the child is legally allowed to be with them and does not have to worry about the Means test.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Disability Grant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This grant is for people within the age of 18 to 59 who are disabled. They must provide a medical report that confirms that they are either permanently disabled or may not be able to work to fend for themselves temporarily for a period of 6 to 12 months due to a medical ailment.<\/span><\/p>\n

SASSA also gives a monetary benefit of R1,860 per month, and the beneficiary or their spouse must pass the Means assessment to know the exact value of their income and assets. If you are single, your monthly income must not exceed R6,510, and your overall assets must not be more than R1,115,400, while for those who are married, you and your spouse must not earn more than R13,020 per month, nor have a combined asset that is up to R2,230,800. Also, you must provide a document that shows their relationship with your spouse – if you are married or were previously married.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Child Support Grant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Both biological parents and caregivers can apply for a Child Support Grant to assist them in taking care of children below age 18 and are under their care. Beneficiaries of this grant will receive a monetary benefit of R445 every month for each child.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To be eligible, parents will have to provide the child\/children’s birth certificate and a means of identification or an affidavit and pass the Means test. As a single parent, if you earn more than R4,000 per month, you do not qualify, and the same goes for those who are married and have a combined monthly income that exceeds R8,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caregivers do not have to worry about the Means test but will have to provide a document that proves that the child\/children in question are legally under their care.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Foster Child Grant<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Foster Child Grant is for parents who are taking care of children who are not biologically theirs. The grant does not require the parents to pass any Means assessment, but they must present a legal document that proves the child is under their care legally and is not more than 18 years of age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Applicants must also be able to provide the birth certificate of the child or their means of identification. In the absence of these two, you can fill an affidavit SASSA will provide by SASSA. Beneficiaries of this grant will receive a monetary benefit of R1040. While benefiting from this grant, the child must remain with the foster parents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Grant For Older Persons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Beneficiaries of the older person grant receive R1,860 monthly. To be eligible to apply for this grant, you must be 60 years old or above. Those who are above 75 years old usually receive R1,870 every month. Like most other categories, applicants must pass a Means assessment test to prove they do not receive a monthly income of more than R6,510 or own assets that is more than R1,115,400 if they are single.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And for those who are married, you and your spouse must not have a combined monthly income up to R13,020 per month or combined assets worth about R2,230,800. You must also provide proof of the relationship between you and your spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. War Veteran’s Grant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To be eligible for this grant, you must have fought either in the Second World War or the Korean war and must either be above the age of 60 or disabled with a medical diagnosis to confirm it.\u00a0<\/span>Another important criterion is that you must pass the Means test. <\/span><\/p>\n

To pass this test, you must not have a monthly income of up to R6,510 or assets worth more than R1,115,400 as a single person, and if you are married, you and your spouse must not have a combined monthly income that is more than R13,020 or combined assets that exceeds R2,230,800. Also, you must provide proof of your relationship with your spouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Grant-In-Aid<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This grant aims to assist beneficiaries of the older person, disabled, or war veteran grants in taking care of their full-time caregiver. And so, to be eligible for this grant, you must be a beneficiary of any of the above-stated grants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beneficiaries of this grant will have to provide a medical report that shows that they actually need a full-time caregiver, and they will receive a monetary benefit of R430 each month.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Social Relief of Distress (SRD)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"SASSA<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are already a beneficiary of any of the above-listed grants, then you are not eligible to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD). This grant assists those in need for a period of three months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, you cannot be a beneficiary of this grant more than once. However, if you have a severe concern that without help or <\/span>assistance, you may run into a crisis, the SASSA can extend your period of receiving the grant by another three months.<\/p>\n

You must be in one of the following situations to be eligible for this grant:<\/span><\/p>\n