WHAT A DI-SASSA-TER
VULNERABLE: SA's poorest struggle in queues
Image: Tracey Adams/IndependentNewspapers
Sassa is continuing its review process of social grant beneficiaries suspected of having other sources of income, other than that which they have disclosed.
They say they are doing the review to ensure there is no misuse of funds. I have no problem with that, it’s the right thing to do.
However, I really wish that the same effort can be used to scrutinise the accounts of politicians, government officials, their friends and family.
The billions of rands being lost to corruption is utterly nauseating. Yet, the big fish don’t seem to be held accountable – it’s the small fry, the struggling man – in – street who they are focusing their efforts on.
Regardless, here is some important information to know about the Sassa review process
Who should review?
Social grant beneficiaries who did not declare their income to the agency when applying for the grant are advised to go for the review process.
This includes those who have had changes in their financial circumstances or that of their spouse.
Sassa has notified beneficiaries who should go for reviews through mail, SMS, home visits, hand-delivered letters or public announcements.
They have told the public: “Beneficiaries are strongly advised not to ignore these messages or related alerts as they may contain important instructions regarding the grant review process.
“When a high risk of undue payment has been identified, Sassa may withhold payment on one payment run to prompt beneficiaries to come for urgent review.
“Those who are unsure of their income are advised to declare all their sources of income to Sassa officials who will determine which one will be considered.”
Why you should review?
The review helps to ensure that the money goes to the right people. Failure to review may result in the suspension or termination of the grant until the review is completed.
Where do the reviews take place?
Reviews take place at designated Sassa offices. Beneficiaries are urged to visit their local Sassa office to check their status. The agency said it plans to introduce online review options in future.
If you are unable to visit Sassa offices for review, you may appoint a power of attorney who may conduct the review on your behalf following proper guidelines.
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Image: Marsha Bothma
What documents must beneficiaries bring along?
- ID document
- Recent proof of income
- Proof of termination of employment if no longer working
- Bank statements for the last three months
- Birth certificates of dependents
- Proof of residential address
- Proof of marital status if married or an affidavit if single.
Refugees must also present valid refugee documentation. In cases where an alternative method of identification or a bar-coded ID is not yet available for South African residents, beneficiaries should submit proof that an application for the required documents has been made with the Department of Home Affairs.
How much does the review cost?
The review is free. Beneficiaries are not required to pay for any Sassa service, including the review process.
And as if poor South Africans don’t already have enough to deal with, financial service providers are targeting social grant beneficiaries, and making unlawful deductions on the already small amount they receive.
Many beneficiaries have contacted Sassa over monies being deducted by insurance companies that they have not signed up for.
Though Sassa has consistently denied it, some are of the opinion that they are working with these insurance companies.
CEO Themba Matlou says: “SASSA has no authority to make any deductions on social grants without the consent of the beneficiaries. We have utmost respect for our beneficiaries and the Act governing social assistance in the country and we will never do anything to shortchange our clients.
“Your money is your money, if you qualify for a grant, the money belongs to you and as SASSA we have no right, nor authority to dictate how you utilise it”
He has urged all beneficiaries who have fallen victim to this, to immediately visit the SASSA local office to report the matter for investigation.
Alternatively, clients who dispute signing a funeral policy with the financial services provider are advised to immediately dispute the deduction by sending a SMS to 34548 with their identity number and the financial services provider’s name.
Funeral deductions are not permitted from child-related grants, such as the Child Support Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Temporary Disability Grant and Foster Child Grant.
For more information, visit www.sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or [email protected].
It’s all good and well that the CEO of Sassa professes his respect for social grant beneficiaries, but I urge him to actually visit a branch and see for himself, how our elderly and most vulnerable are disrespected as they queue in the cold, the sun, the wind and the rain - only to be turned away and told to come again.
For the sake of our citizens, I hope Sassa gets its act in place.
ROBBED: Sassa has warned social grant beneficiaries about a surge in unlawful deductions
Image: File
Sassa is continuing its review process of social grant beneficiaries suspected of having other sources of income, other than that which they have disclosed.
They say they are doing the review to ensure there is no misuse of funds. I have no problem with that, it’s the right thing to do.
However, I really wish that the same effort can be used to scrutinise the accounts of politicians, government officials, their friends and family.
The billions of rands being lost to corruption is utterly nauseating. Yet, the big fish
don’t seem to be held accountable – it’s the small fry, the struggling man – in – street who they are focusing their efforts on.
Regardless, here is some important information to know about the Sassa review process
Who should review?
Social grant beneficiaries who did not declare their income to the agency when applying for the grant are advised to go for the review process.
This includes those who have had changes in their financial circumstances or that of their spouse.
Sassa has notified beneficiaries who should go for reviews through mail, SMS, home visits, hand-delivered letters or public announcements.
They have told the public: “Beneficiaries are strongly advised not to ignore these messages or related alerts as they may contain important instructions regarding the grant review process.
“When a high risk of undue payment has been identified, Sassa may withhold payment on one payment run to prompt beneficiaries to come for urgent review.
“Those who are unsure of their income are advised to declare all their sources of income to Sassa officials who will determine which one will be considered.”
Why you should review?
The review helps to ensure that the money goes to the right people. Failure to review may result in the suspension or termination of the grant until the review is completed.
Where do the reviews take place?
Reviews take place at designated Sassa offices. Beneficiaries are urged to visit their local Sassa office to check their status. The agency said it plans to introduce online review options in future.
If you are unable to visit Sassa offices for review, you may appoint a power of attorney who may conduct the review on your behalf following proper guidelines.
What documents must beneficiaries bring along?
- ID document
- Recent proof of income
- Proof of termination of employment if no longer working
- Bank statements for the last three months
- Birth certificates of dependents
- Proof of residential address
- Proof of marital status if married or an affidavit if single.
Refugees must also present valid refugee documentation. In cases where an alternative method of identification or a bar-coded ID is not yet available for South African residents, beneficiaries should submit proof that an application for the required documents has been made with the Department of Home Affairs.
How much does the review cost?
The review is free. Beneficiaries are not required to pay for any Sassa service, including the review process.
And as if poor South Africans don’t already have enough to deal with, financial service providers are targeting social grant beneficiaries, and making unlawful deductions on the already small amount they receive.
Many beneficiaries have contacted Sassa over monies being deducted by insurance companies that they have not signed up for.
Though Sassa has consistently denied it, some are of the opinion that they are working with these insurance companies.
CEO Themba Matlou says: “SASSA has no authority to make any deductions on social grants without the consent of the beneficiaries. We have utmost respect for our beneficiaries and the Act governing social assistance in the country and we will never do anything to shortchange our clients.
“Your money is your money, if you qualify for a grant, the money belongs to you and as SASSA we have no right, nor authority to dictate how you utilise it”
He has urged all beneficiaries who have fallen victim to this, to immediately visit the SASSA local office to report the matter for investigation.
Alternatively, clients who dispute signing a funeral policy with the financial services provider are advised to immediately dispute the deduction by sending a SMS to 34548 with their identity number and the financial services provider’s name.
Funeral deductions are not permitted from child-related grants, such as the Child Support Grant, Care Dependency Grant, Temporary Disability Grant and Foster Child Grant.
For more information, visit www.sassa.gov.za, call the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 or [email protected].
It’s all good and well that the CEO of Sassa professes his respect for social grant beneficiaries, but I urge him to actually visit a branch and see for himself, how our elderly and most vulnerable are disrespected as they queue in the cold, the sun, the wind and the rain - only to be turned away and told to come again.
For the sake of our citizens, I hope Sassa gets its act in place.