The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has recently made significant updates to its system to improve social support for millions of people across the country. These updates, which went into effect in April 2024, will benefit a diverse group of individuals, including seniors, persons with disabilities, and families who rely on grants for childcare.
These new SASSA updates include how they handle grants and their day-to-day operations. This article takes a closer look at what these changes are, how they’re being put into place, and what they could mean for people all over South Africa.
Contents
SASS Social Grant Amount Raised
Elderly and Disability Grants
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has recently revised the grant amounts for elderly persons and individuals with disabilities As per the revised policy, individuals over 60 years of age are now entitled to receive R2,180 as an elderly grant, while those over 75 years of age will receive R2,200. Meanwhile, the disability grant has also been adjusted to R2,180 to support some of the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Childcare-Related Grants
Families benefiting from childcare-related grants will also notice an increase in their disbursements. The Child Dependency grant has been increased to R2,180, the Foster Care grant has been adjusted to R1,180, and the Child Support grant has been set at R530 to support vulnerable families.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant
As per Mr Godongwana, the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is said to witness a modest increase of R20, bringing the total amount to R370. However, this hasn’t been made official yet. SRD R350 will be continued for another year. For 2025-26, a board of members will decide if this grant should be continued or not.
Recovery of Irregular Payments
The government has made a new rule that makes it easier to recover wrongly paid-out funds. This will help save resources for those who really need them. The Department of Social Development has been given the power to take back the money that was paid out by mistake.
Instant Suspension and Automatic Lapse
The South African Department of Social Development (DSD) has implemented measures to stop fraudulent activities in the grant system. One of these measures involves the suspension of grants if beneficiaries fail to update their details. In addition, grants will automatically expire in the event of the beneficiary’s death to prevent corrupt individuals from continuing to receive payments.
The Role of Civil Society and Future Implications
Civil society organizations have raised concerns about the adequacy of the grant increases, particularly given the current inflation rates. The debate highlights the challenge of balancing fiscal sustainability with the need to support the most vulnerable members of society.
The future of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is of significant interest, as it is currently extended up to March 2025. The grant could be extended further based on economic and political considerations. However, given the country’s current economic challenges, the government will need to carefully consider the costs involved in extending the grant.
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