To benefit from a disability grant from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), a Sassa application along with a doctors visit is needed. Now, Sassa has said that those who have been rejected should submit an appeal.
In a statement from Sassa, it was said:
The appeal must be lodged within 30 days after receiving a rejection letter and the process of reviewing the appeal also takes 30 days. If the applicant does not understand the rejection reasons they have a right to ask SASSA officials to provide clarity.
The staff at the local office will advise on the process to follow to submit your Sassa appeal application.
When assessing appeals and applications for the disability grant, Sassa works with professional medical contracted doctors. These doctors are work under the supervision, approved regulations and guidelines by Sassa and the department of Health, Sassa explained.
The doctor would do the assessment of whether the applicant is in a condition which qualifies them to receive the grant. They would then submit a report to Sassa to say if a temporary or permanent grant is needed.
Should the Sassa application have been for October and it be successful, the Sassa grant beneficiary would then receive a Sassa payment of R2 090. This is due to a R10 Sassa increase, in effect from October.
Requirements for Sassa Disability Grant
- Must be a South African citizen; permanent resident or refugee permanently residing in South Africa.
- Must be 18 to 59 years of age;
- Must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming disability and;
- Must provide clinical information or referral form confirming disability;
- Must provide a referral form duly completed by a treating facility or practitioner if previously rejected on medical grounds;
- The applicant and spouse must be subjected to the Means Test;
- Must not be maintained or cared for in a State-funded institution;
- Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself;
- Must submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document or the smart ID card for self and spouse. In the absence of an ID or a birth certificate, an alternative identification prescribed by Sassa will be acceptable.
Sassa Cards Used For Grant Payment
Sassa gold cards used for Sassa grant payments were initially expiring on 31 December. However, Postbank recently announced that the gold cards will no longer expire.
“This important development means that millions of social grants beneficiaries don’t have to change their SASSA Gold Cards to the cards of the other banks," said Postbank.
The payments of social grants through SASSA Gold Cards over the years has empowered marginalised populations and made it easier for them to access their funds, especially in rural areas where traditional banking infrastructure may be limited.
Beneficiaries are urged to use their cards with caution and to not fall prey to any misleading information. It's also important for them to remember that Postbank is the only bank mandated to replace SASSA Gold Cards.
"No retailer or shop has the right to force beneficiaries to make a purchase: SASSA beneficiaries are advised to report any retailer or shop that forces them to buy goods prior to paying out their SASSA grants. You are entitled to your full SASSA grant payment, and you have every right to use the money as you deem necessary,” said Postbank's spokesperson, Dr Bongani Diako.
