The Democratic Alliance (DA) has released a statement highlighting certain issues within the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa). The statement focuses on the social grants that will be affected as of 1 March 2024.
According to the DA, since November 2022, beneficiaries of the Old Age Pension, Child Support grant, and Disability grant continue to be turned away from Sassa pay points. This has escalated to some being told there are no funds in their accounts.
The DA pointed out that the recently published budget reveals that social grants will be affected during the 2024/2025 financial year which starts on 1 March 2024. “On page 35 of the 2023 budget review, the ANC government indicates it will entirely abolish the Social Relief of Distress grant on 1 March 2024,” read the statement.
They believe that cuts to other grants are sure to follow as the financial crisis may escalate. In response to this matter, the DA plans to work on an emergency plan to ensure social grants remain in place.
However, according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, all permanent social grants will be increased by at least 5% during the next financial year. During the 2023 Budget Speech, the minister revealed the grant increases for the 2023/2024 financial year.
According to the Finance Minister, the following grants will be increased:
- Old Age grant
- Old Age grant (above 75 years old)
- War Veterans grant
- Disability grant
- Care Dependency grant
- Foster Care grant
- Child Support grant
The increases will take place as of October 2023. Government will be spending more money on social grants due to the increasing number of grant recipients in the country.
According to the minister, Social Development will receive around R1.1 trillion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The money will be used to pay social grants, for the provision of welfare services and strengthen advocacy for the empowerment of women, youth and people living with disabilities.
