SASSA quick to rectify pension payouts

“We apologise unconditionally and undertake to ensure that this does not recur,” SASSA replied in a media statement regarding the suspension of old age grants of some residents of Our Home Old Age Home in Louis Trichardt.

The apology applied in particular to the two residents who had received no pension pay-out for the past five months, Ms Dirkie Stroebel and Ms Noreen du Plessis.

“Based on the list that we received from the old age home, we can reliably inform you that of the eight people who got their grants suspended, only two were unfortunately forced to endure five months of hardship without an income after re-applying in April this year. This was due to unforeseen circumstances,” states Mr Steven Mavunda, communications officer of the South African Social Security Agency.

Mavunda was as good as his word that he would reply speedily. In the SASSA e-mail dated September 14, it is communicated that a solution had been found.

“By late yesterday (September 13) almost all the suspended grants for the elderly people residing at Our Home Old Age Home had been restored with arrears,” Mavunda wrote.

Ms Kittie de Bruin, manager of Our Home, said this week that she had also received a message that the grants would be restored.

“We shall see on their statements after the pay-out date, October 3. That falls on a Sunday, so by October 5 we will probably know. In the past I have been told many times that grants would be restored ‘next month’, so let us wait and see,” De Bruin said.

What are the reasons for suspending a grant? Mr Mavunda explained that there are a number of things that could lead to the suspension of a grant. It is required of SASSA to review all grant types in line with the legislative framework.

“In many cases, grants are suspended where there is a change in financial and medical circumstances, or following the outcome of a review process or failure to cooperate when a grant is reviewed. Dormant accounts (money not withdrawn for three consecutive months) may also lead to the suspension of a grant,” Mavunda answered.

From time to time, SASSA issues letters to all beneficiaries due for reviews and announces it on public and community radio stations. Beneficiaries sometimes wait until their grants are suspended before flocking into the SASSA offices, which causes unnecessary backlog.

In the case of Our Home, they acted immediately upon receiving the review letters.

“Our clarion call to institutions taking care of elderly people who are custodians of social grants is that they should not wait, but upon discovery of any shortcomings with regard to our beneficiaries, notify us well in time. It remains SASSA’s responsibility to ensure that our elderly people are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” reads the SASSA statement.

News - Date: 24 September 2010

Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

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