THE Minister of Social Development earlier this year took the decision to extend two grants to December 31, 2020, in response to the declared State of Disaster, which made it difficult for beneficiaries to apply for social grants, especially those requiring medical assessments because of limited access to health facilities.
Temporary disability grants that lapsed from February 1 were extended, along with care dependency grants for children who turned 18 during that period.
These two grants will now finally lapse on December 31.
Beneficiaries of the temporary disability grants, who feel that their medical condition still prevents them from working, are advised to approach their nearest SASSA local office from January 5, 2021, to reapply.
“It must be understood that this is not a review process, but a new application, as temporary disability grants are awarded for a specific period only,” SASSA said in a statement.
Caregivers of children, whose care dependency grants will lapse at the end of the month, are also requested to approach SASSA local offices from January 5 to apply for disability grants for the young adults.
“Both the above categories of beneficiaries are requested to bring along clinical records pertaining to the medical conditions of applicants when applying,” SASSA said.
All COVID-19 precautionary measures (screening of clients and SASSA staff, sanitisation, wearing of masks, social distancing) will continue to be observed at all times.
SASSA will endeavour to limit the time applicants have to spend in queues waiting for service, as much as practically possible.
Courtesy letters informing beneficiaries of the lapsing of their social grants have already been posted.
Affected beneficiaries are requested to respond to these letters as soon as they are able to do so.
Caregivers of children whose care dependency grants will lapse are not required to bring the children to SASSA local offices, but should come to undertake the application process as the proxy for their children.
Issued: South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
