SASSA has confirmed that they have experienced a rise in the number of rejections for COVID-19 grant applications.
According to the statement, this can be attributed to several factors, such as a mismatch between details provided by beneficiaries and reliance on the information derived from data sets obtained from institutions such as UIF and SARS databases among others.
“In August, there was a significant increase in the number of rejections, as we implemented an additional step of means testing applications against banks. This was done to ensure that the requirement for applicants to have no income was met,” the statement read.
However, following an engagement with the Department of Social Development, it has been agreed to reconsider the use of the means test through the banks as a criterion to determine eligibility.
This will affect the approximately 1,9 million people who have been receiving the grant to date, but who were declined in August.
“The legal framework which supports the reconsideration of the use of bank means testing is being amended by the Department of Social Development and will be published within the next few days. These amendments will clarify the qualifying criteria and support SASSA in ensuring that deserving citizens do receive the support they are entitled to, for the duration of this grant.”
“Applications are considered on their individual merits on a month-to-month basis, which means an application can be approved for one month and rejected the following month if, for instance, the financial situation changed.
All applicants whose applications are declined thus have the right to appeal against the decision. Beneficiaries who have been rejected are reminded that they can send their appeals to
