Cyril Ramaphosa announced the unemployed grant of R350 per month for the next six months. The relief grants will be granted from early May until October. The relief fund is meant for unemployed individuals during the lockdown and COVID-19 crisis.
The system will be automated, and SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) will screen applications against databases in place to ensure the applicants qualify for the social grant.
In the Afternoon Drive with John Maytham on Cape Town, John spoke to the special guest, SASSA CEO, Busisiwe Memela.
How are people to Register, in terms of the Process?
“In terms of the process, we’ve been working for the past two weeks”, creating a system to make the process is automated. As many people will be applying, it’s going to be hard and there will be a lot of delays.
“The platform that we’ve created in the terms of the front end, we are finalizing the process, in terms of the backend”, so start rolling out as soon as possible.
How to Register
“In terms of how people are going to register, they are going to be using an SSD or WhatsApp”, you will be able to indicate that you not employed, not receiving any social grants.
After you’ve registered, the system will determine whether you qualify, or not – part of your registration process will be done in the backend, as well as the payment process.
Can Foreigners register for the Grant relief?
“If you have legal papers to be in South Africa, you will qualify – and also if you are a registered refugee, you qualify”
When will we get paid?
“Once you’ve registered, we hope to start doing the payments, at the beginning of May, once you’ve been processed, we will pay at that time, and we won’t wait until the end of the month”
From there on, you will be paid R350 for six months on the 28th of each month until October.
How are you going to get people their money?
“We are going to use three possible processes; an e-voucher, mobile money transfer, or, if you have a bank account, we’ll put the money in your bank account.”
What if eligible people don’t have access to any of the mechanisms?
Most people are expected to have at least one of the mechanisms, however – you may borrow a phone from a family member and process your request. People with disabilities have a separate mechanism in place.
Do Self-Employed People Qualify?
YES! Self Employed People do qualify.
What is the WhatsApp Number to use?
Whatsapp the word ‘Sassa’ to 060 012 3456, The WhatsApp is currently available and will be disseminated across the nation. The system currently uses the Government’s existing COVID-19 WhatsApp line.
You might be encountered by a promising message that reads: “SASSA will inform the public when applications via WhatsApp will resume”.
How do i verify my if identification