No relief of distress payments in April and May leave millions destitute
The failure by Sassa to pay was the result of the introduction of a new system of means testing
More than 10-million destitute individuals dependent on the government’s R350 monthly social relief of distress (SRD) grant did not receive payments for April and May in what civil society organisations have called a “scandal and a national disgrace”.
The problem arose because of the introduction of a means test by the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) in terms of which only those receiving a monthly income of less than R350 (previously R595) would qualify for the grant. This required confirmation of monthly income by the banks, which has been delayed because the Treasury imposed new conditions on their doing so on April 30...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.