Dear Editor
Temporary disability grant recipients will face a six month wait to renew their grants, according to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). SASSA representatives stated that the delay was caused by an insufficient supply of medical personnel who could assess grant recipients, with National Treasury allegedly blocking the employment of more staff.
The backlog was revealed during SASSA’s appearance before the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Development today. While SASSA had initially been invited to explain the late payment of the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, it was also revealed that the agency suffered severe constraints in renewing temporary disability grants. SASSA’s representatives indicated that its assessors were fully booked until August, with no immediate plans in place to augment the number of medical staff available.
Several other issues also emerged during the meeting. The Western Cape is serviced by only 16 offices, leaving many rural communities without an office, and forcing beneficiaries to embark on costly and time-consuming journeys to receive their grants. Several committee members also raised concerns over SASSA’s policy of making SRD recipients re-apply for their grants, and difficulties related to the online application process.
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development Dan Plato said: “SASSA’s revelations before the committee this morning are profoundly disturbing. The fact that there is a six-month backlog for medical assessments means that grant beneficiaries who are required to undergo reassessment will not be able to do so until later in the year, and will receive no grants in the interim. This leaves some of the most vulnerable members of our society without the money that they are entitled to, and on which they rely to buy the basic necessities. The issue is further compounded by the fact that National Treasury appears to have taken a decision to ignore the issue, and to place a hold on the appointment of new medical personnel to this key role.
As a government and as a society, we cannot leave the disabled behind. I have encouraged SASSA to write to National Treasury to resolve this situation, and will continue to monitor SASSA’s progress in resolving this backlog in my capacity as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Development.”
Regards
Dan Plato, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development
