SASSA Promises to Review Rejected R350 COVID-19 Grant Applications

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has promised to review the number of declined R350 COVID-19 Grant applications.

SASSA said in a statement that it has taken a decision to relook declined COVID-19 grant applications and get to the bottom of the reasons for rejection.

The high numbers involved raised questions and SASSA decided that it would be wise to reconsider these before subjecting them to an appeal process, which comes at a cost and resultant delays, given the urgency to pay out the grant during these trying times for poor people impacted negatively by the national shutdown, said the agency.

In early June close to 50% of processed applications did not qualify in terms of the
criteria.

Over 70% of those that did not qualify were either receiving or qualifying for UIF benefits according to the database that SASSA was using then to sift through the applications.

Subsequently, SASSA said it took a decision to request an updated database to reconsider the declined UIF cases instead of advising the aggrieved applicants to follow the appeals route.

“Out of this reconsideration process it emerged that 85% of the UIF cases which were
previously deemed not to be qualifying, actually qualify,” the agency explains.

“They have been approved and are being made aware of this development individually as and when such favourable decision is reached.

“Everyone affected will receive an SMS requesting them to provide their banking details. It is important to respond to the SMS as quickly as possible and to follow the link provided. Approved applicants are reminded that the link cannot be shared with others, as it is linked to a specific ID number for security reasons.”

Also read: SASSA Angers R350 COVID-19 Grant Applicants with ‘Payment Date’ Statement