There has been a lot of complaints about SASSA’s decision to decline applications. Many applicants dreaded hearing the outcome of their application while they were simultaneously hoping for the best and quick response. Many are shocked at the negative outcome of their R350 grant relief application.
iBusiness spoke to one of the applicants, a young South African Marta Sithole who 
resides in the western region of Gauteng under the municipality of Merafong, in Carletonville, Khutsong.
SASSA’s methods of verification remain questionable – Busisiwe Memela (SASSA CEO) clearly stated that for one to qualify for the R350 grant, applicants must be unemployed without any kind of income, not receiving any kind funds (NSFAS, social grants, etc.) from the government, and must be above the age of 18.
‘My recent job was in November/December 2019 a 2months contract, at western college, as an internal invigilator.’ stated Marta who confirmed to iBusiness that she receives no grant from the government and has been unemployed since the beginning of the year.
Marta also confirms there’s no amount that goes into her account regularly that the government might have mistaken it as ‘other sources of income’
‘Due to covid19, companies are in lockdown which makes it hard near to impossible to job hunt, before lockdown began I had submitted numerous CVs, perhaps I would have been employed by now and restrictions make it hard to hustle.’
The interview continued with Marta Sithole
- Were you working before the lockdown began, and/or how were you making a living?
No, I was in a process of job marketing and was selling sweets and veggies to survive, due to lockdown my veggies were spoilt.
- When did you apply for the grant and how did it take for them to reject your application?
I applied for the SRD on the 13th of May 2020 and it kept pending since then. I received an SMS on the 15th of June 2020 stated that my application was declined, I am currently receiving an income from other sources.
- Please indicate to us a reason you think you are rejected, even it may seem far fetched
I don’t know,
- Did you try contacting SASSA regarding the issue?
I sent a message on their Sassa Facebook account requesting clarity and I asked them to forward me contact details where I can launch a complaint/queries.
- Please tell us everything else that you may want to mention, and questions you have for SASSA.
I want to know how did Sassa reach the conclusion that I am receiving an income. I need that money to survive. I cannot live with handouts anymore. I truly need it
From iBusiness users
- Beryl Tiny Mdluli: I do not have any income whatsoever. Sassa declined my application based on my husband receiving a grant for his granddaughter. I personally do not benefit nor my husband. We solely both depend on my husband’s old age grant.
- Keitu: I am unemployed almost a year but my unemployed application grant was declined based on what reason only Sassa and sars know because as I’m texting now I am unemployed, worse is that they don’t give a reason as to why it has declined. Maybe it will be better to allow us to go do applications at the offices than doing it electronically, its disappointing and unfair to be treated this way. Minister are there any follow-ups to be done on the declines or is it final.
- Nothando Prince: I’m very disappointed about the message I received from Sassa cause I don’t have any income and I never work. I’m totally confused about how come I didn’t qualify to get this R350. I’m not getting any income but my application is declined.
I’m also declined for Srd grant I think is because of my Absa banking Acc that shows active.it used by a friend who is working at Hoedspruit he ask for my help because he has no I.d book and sometimes my I’d used to transfer and collect money that was for stokvel group for my mother
I’m also declined for Srd grant I think is because of my Absa banking Acc that shows active.it used by a friend who is working at Hoedspruit he ask for my help because he has no I.d book and sometimes my I’d used to transfer and collect money that was for stokvel group for my mother
Hi yesterday when I check my unemployment grant it says declined by I’m not getting any monthly income it’s 2 years now sitting at home
My SRD grant was declined. I have been unemployed for more then 10 years. Still I was declined. I sell Avon for a living but this lockdown has been very hard on my business. I have lost a lot of my customers that have lost there jobs.
My mom and brother also got declined and they are not receiving any income,my mom has been unemployed for years now and so is my brother , they can’t even hustle due to this Corona and yet we were told that unemployed people qualify for this grant. I think something fishy is cooking and something needs to be done ,many South Africans are so hungry out there and yet they get declined for what i really do not know!
You can not make a promise to people and not keep it, people! do not make our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers fools or even look so desparate!!! This is so wrong and even in the eyes of God.
My daughter is declined from getting the srd money she is not working and she doesn’t hv any other forms of income.. It’s painful to see some of her friend getting the money while they both qualify. How did Sassa come to this conclusion weneed some answers from them or rather they tell us where they got the information that the person is getting income.
me and my son apply on the 11 may and our application are still pending none of us ever worked before but the status is still pending
I have been trying to phone sassa on 0800 60 10 11 – but it seems that sassa has Corona virus, because the network is constantly “congested”. So how do you contact sassa to enquire about the grant being declined due to other sources of income, which I don’t have ????????????????
Also declined and don’t know the reason behind that is known only by Sassa and Sars. It’s so disappointing because they don’t even tell us why.
Mrng how long is the pending payment took cause when I check it’s pending for how long
Also decided but i have 2 years not working, and i have claimed my UIF 2018 August, so i don’t understand which source of income they are taking about
My family members were declined without any valid reasons. They are not working at all. And I suggest to get that 350 via ewallet. But they choose to send me at the post office and since last week, there’s no money. Worse thing about Sassa gor years I’ve been applying for disability grant, and devlinced, several times, why becauase I don’t have money to pay for official’s. How can I pay huge amount for my disability? Was it my choice? Or its was due to the carelessness of our government hospitals.
Our government doesn’t take people serious… Many applications were declined for no valid reason.. My baby brothers application was also declined for what I dont know because he is unemployed and not receiving any form of income.
I give our government a big round of applaud by disappointing those who are in need of that relief grant.. Sassa is inconsiderate
Hy mine also decline and I am not working, no they have to give us reasons why they decline our application
I also received the declining message from sassa but I never ever worked in my life and there is no amount of money that I’m receiving I really need the 350 grant I have already planned what am I going to do with the money but I got disappointed news
Thabisile Mkhabela I’m surprised when check my status say I’m declined I’m unemployed asking my self do any income seriously notes stop play us .
Thabisile Mkhabela I’m surprised when check my status say I’m declined I’m unemployed asking my self do any income seriously notes stop play us .something that not right be unemployed 2-3 year
I also being declined but im not even working not even receiving NSFAS or UIF im so confuse which source of income they a talking about.
I am also declined I don’t know why because I don’t have any income money that come to me but the saying declined. I am looking for job I was hope this money there going to help me to get some food during marketing job
Application failed do not know for what reason as I am at home for 15years now sold sweets for a living,
My application says failed if I try to view my status, I haven’t been working for 15 years, My youngest son is 24years old I’m not a pensioner do not understand how my application failed please assist
I am approved by Assad on the 23/05/2020 but still not paid even today I’m still waiting for R350
My application has been declined for no reason. I’m an unemployed applicant. I deserve that grant. When I checked my status it said that my application has been declined but I never received a sms saying that it’s been decline. What is actually the problem with the people handling these money who should be given to those who deserve it.