EXPLAINED: Clarity on SASSA Declining Un-qualifying COVID-19 Grant Applications

For the past few days, there has been a stream of complaints from applicants who have had their COVID-19 Grant application declined.

‘The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is in receipt of numerous grievances with regards to declined R350 grant applications.’

SASSA stated that some applications did not meet the criteria.

‘For one to qualify for the COVID-19 grant they must be either unemployed without any kind of income, or not receiving any kind of government assistance such as UIF and NSFAS, or social grants or any other financial support and must be above the age of 18.’

Why have so many applications declined?

‘The majority of declined applications are from people already on the UIF database or qualifying to receive it. In this case, the applicants are advised to contact the Department of Employment and Labour to either apply for UIF or follow up with their applications. ’

In a statement, SASSA CEO, Tsotsie Memela, added that they are aware of unhappy applicants and emphasized that the grant is not necessarily for everyone.

“We are doing everything in our power to solve the matter and a dedicated email address and phone number have been made available to process complaints. Those who feel aggrieved should either call 0800 60 10 11 or email srd@sassa.gov.za with their complaints in order to access the recourse mechanism. Our aim is to pay the right grant to the right people,” Memela said.

SASSA has far approved 3.2 million applicants, and over 1.2 million have been paid, more payments are still in process.

“We continue to work hard to ensure that those who qualify get what is due to them. Our main aim is to support the government in alleviating poverty especially during these difficult times but we have to follow the required processes and we appeal for patience from those whose applications we have not reached so far,”

“Personal information is very important because during verification check should we find out that the information provided during the application does not correspond with the Identity document information that might result in the application being rejected,” concludes Memela.