Minister Fernandez raises more concerns about SASSA’s ‘10 Point-Plan’

On Monday, the 18th January 2021, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, met with a delegation from SASSA. This meeting was scheduled for SASSA to provide an update on their ‘10 Point-Plan’ to address the Temporary Disability Grants and Care Dependency grants that lapsed on the 31st December 2020, after being extended from February 2020.

At the end of December 2020, SASSA suspended 210 778 Temporary Disability Grants (TDGs) nationally of which 53 000 are in the Western Cape.

Minister Fernandez said, “ I am deeply concerned that SASSA's current operating model cannot cope with the high volumes of beneficiaries that require assessments. Despite requesting a beefing up of SASSA’s ‘10 Point-Plan’, there are still huge gaps in their existing plans which must be addressed urgently.

I wish to re-iterate this Provincial government’s call to President Cyril Ramaphosa, to ensure that SASSA has sufficient funds to cover the needs of the most vulnerable on the ground.”

Minister Fernandez added, “Sadly, the plan does not address the immediate needs of many applicants, who desperately require emergency assistance such as food vouchers whilst waiting for their Temporary Disability Grants to be assessed and their respective special Covid SRD grant applications to be completed.”

During the meeting, SASSA confirmed that Temporary Disability Grant applicants can apply for a special Covid 19 grant. If successful they will receive a grant of R500 per month whilst waiting for their TDG assessments to be completed. SASSA further indicated that they no longer issue food parcels and that the money would be paid directly into their accounts via EFT.

Minister Fernandez said, “My immediate concern is that the SRD grant is a new process that requires an application form to be completed. It will take time to process these applications whilst thousands of vulnerable citizens will have to wait without any form of income!

It is also concerning that there is an apparent lack of planning and communication regarding the termination of the special Covid SRD R350 grants at the end of January 2021. If not managed with absolute precision, I fear a re-occurrence of the events that unfolded last week.”

Minister Fernandez continued, “However, I welcome that SASSA has indicated that National Treasury has permitted them to secure the services of 500 additional doctors, who have indicated their willingness to assist. This is an improvement from the situation last week, where they only had the services of 9 additional doctors for the Western Cape.

The hiring of additional doctors is an effort to assess all applicants before the 31st of March 2021.”

“Accessing temporary grants for those who are eligible is a constitutional right. As such, we will continue to monitor the current situation to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens who qualify for a TPG grant, receives what is rightfully theirs.

It is evident that SASSA and National DSD has been found wanting - a fact Minister Zulu acceded to. However, we remain committed to acting in the best interest of our citizens and to that end we have agreed to meet with SASSA fortnightly until the 31st March 2021.