The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has explained why the R350 grant was not paid to beneficiaries for the past few months.
In a parliamentary meeting, it was revealed that Sassa could not make R350 grant payments due to the DSD's work to finalise a functional verification process and to ensure all systems are in place for the disbursement of the grant.
The verification process will assist the Auditor-General with the monitoring of the R350 grant application process and ensure that only deserving individuals receive the grant.
The DSD explained, “As both objectives are complete, the department anticipates processing the payments to all grant recipients as soon as possible. As such, those who applied in April will be paid from that month.”
It was revealed that the DSD is finalising contracts with several banks which will assist the department with its means test. Every R350 grant application undergoes a means test to determine whether or not an individual qualifies for the R350 grant.
Brenton van Vrede, DSD Chief Director for Social Assistance, says the department has requested for the budget allocation for the R350 grant to be increased yearly.
Despite this, he said more funds need to be allocated for the creation of more employment programmes. These employment programmes would reduce the number of people requiring the grant.
Van Vrede added that the department must build a new system to support the working-age population in South Africa. This is because supporting the elderly and children are different from supporting the working-age population.
