Temporary care grants extended

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced its temporary disability and care dependency grants for children who turned 18 between February and December 2020 have been extended to 31 December.

Sassa said in a statement Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu decided to extend the grants in response to the state of disaster.

It said the state of disaster made it difficult for beneficiaries to apply for social grants, “especially those requiring medical assessments because of limited access to health facilities”.

“These two grants will now finally lapse end-December,” said Sassa.

Temporary disability grant beneficiaries, who felt that their medical condition still prevented them from working, were advised to visit their nearest Sassa office from 5 January 2021 to reapply.

“It must be understood that this is not a review process, but a new application, as temporary disability grants are awarded for a specific period only.”

Sassa said caregivers of children whose care dependency grants would have lapsed on 31 December were also requested to visit Sassa offices from 5 January to apply for disability grants for the young adults.

“Both the above categories of beneficiaries are requested to bring along clinical records pertaining to the medical conditions of applicants when applying.”

All Covid-19 precautionary measures, such as screening of both clients and Sassa staff, sanitisation, wearing of masks and social distancing would be observed at all times.

“We will endeavour to limit the time applicants have to spend in queues waiting for service, as much as practically possible.”

It said courtesy letters informing beneficiaries of the lapsing of their social grants have already been posted.

“Affected beneficiaries are requested to respond to these letters as soon as they can.”

While Sassa said caregivers of children whose care grants would have lapsed were no longer required to bring them to Sassa offices. They, however, still had to come to undertake the process as the proxy for the children.

The state of disaster made it difficult for beneficiaries to apply for social grants, especially those requiring medical assessments because of limited access to health facilities. SA Social Security Agency