'WE SUFFER ON SASSA' - Pensioners call for reforms amid rising living costs

BY THE middle of every month, the money is already gone.

For pensioners and families caring for loved ones with disabilities, surviving on social grants has become an increasingly difficult task as the cost of living continues to rise.

Moutie Abrahams, 64, from Surrey Estate said that his R2 130 pension usually runs out by the 20th of every month, with his biggest bill being his municipal account.

The former motor mechanic explained that he uses R100 for data, R1 000 for petrol, R600 for living expenses and R500 for electricity. When times get tough and he is left with little to spare he seeks financial assistance from his children.

Abrahams said: “Living on a pension makes me feel very low, because when friends say let’s go here or there we as pensioners first have to see what expenses we have left, so we rather stay home to save embarrassment.

“If I could speak directly to the government, I would actually tell them that we as pensioners deserve more. 

“Also Sassa should do a more detailed study on who should get what as there are those people that receive pension that are still working.” 

Meanwhile, Shamiel Abbass, 62, from Woodstock described a normal month for him as a pensioner as tough.

Abbass said: “If I get my pension today then I have to stretch it out for the rest of the month which is impossible. 

“You can’t stretch R2 000, it’s impossible. Pension day is the only day you can buy one or two luxury items for yourself – otherwise, no ways. With the cost of living, the food items, for us as pensioners it is very difficult.”

Luckily for the community activist, he can rely on his sister or his son wanneer die geld op is. 

He said: “My son is around, so I can maybe get a plate of food from him. Or I go to my sister for a week or so until I get pension again. But surviving on my own is impossible. 

“I can maybe survive for a week on my pension and then that’s it. There’re certain things I had to cut, because I cannot afford it anymore like Koo baked beans. I can’t afford it anymore. I have to go for a cheaper brand.”

The former crime fighter added thankfully he does not pay a cent for medical bills as he goes to a special doctor in Woodstock which doesn’t cost him a cent, but said most pensioners get charged R200 for a consultation.

Abbass added: “I think what government should understand as senior citizens we have given so much to our communities and to our country and all we want is a fair deal in return. 

“A liveable pension for us to survive on which should be R5 000 to R6 000.”

For families caring for loved ones with disabilities, the pressure is even greater.

William Collins from Eerste River is a caregiver for his daughter Stacey Lee, who he receives a disability grant for.

To try and make ends meet, the 72-year-old works as a casual washing cars.

Collins said: “Financially I can’t cope. I just try and make do with whatever I can. The biggest financial problem is the nappies which can go up to R1 600 a month. That’s my biggest problem every month.

“Most of the time I go to bed without food, just to see that Stacey has something to eat because like I said she can’t go without her nappies.”

After getting full custody of his 17-year-old daughter, he said that there was never enough money to buy himself something, as he always put her needs first.

Responding to concerns about pensioners and people with disabilities struggling to cope financially, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) said it provides a range of services to support vulnerable residents across the province. 

The department said it subsidises bedspaces in old age homes and funds community-based service centres where older persons can access social work services, receive meals and participate in activities alongside their peers. 

During the 2024/25 financial year, the department subsidised 8 619 spaces for community-based care and support services and 4 661 bedspaces in residential care facilities for older persons.

For people living with disabilities, the department said it funds non-profit organisations that provide residential care, protective workshops and community-based day-care centres, as well as social work services. 

In the same period, the department subsidised 1 748 bedspaces in residential facilities, 2 177 spaces at protective workshops and 1 024 spaces at community-based day care centres.

Addressing food insecurity, the department said it supports 55 non-profit organisations managing community nutrition and development centres, community kitchens and feeding sites across the province, collectively reaching about 27 071 beneficiaries per month. 

The department said residents requiring social work services can approach their nearest Department of Social Development (DSD) office for an assessment and referral, with interventions determined based on individual needs.

The City of Cape Town said indigent households and pensioners can also apply for financial relief to help offset the cost of rates and municipal services. 

According to the City, households earning R7 500 or less per month may qualify for indigent support, which includes free basic services and a 100 percent discount on property rates. 

Pensioners and social grant recipients with a household income of up to R27 000 per month can apply for pensioner rebates and access the City’s Lifeline tariff.

The City said it has expanded the qualifying income threshold for pensioners and social grant recipients and allocated R5.1 billion towards rates and services relief for the 2025/26 financial year. 

Mayoral Committee Member for Finance Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, encouraged residents to apply, saying officials at the City’s Customer Interaction Centres are available to assist those in need.