Have your say on AMENDments to Social Assistance Bill on Monday, 5 October 2020

Gauteng Legislature invites social grant beneficiaries and other interested individuals to comment on amendments to the Social Assistance Bill of 2004.

Originally enacted in 2004, the Bill initially provided for the administration of foster care grants to to children orphaned as a result of the death of parents, guardians or caregivers. The grant became an incentive to families that looked after orphans.

It has now been revised to include sections such as:

• additional payments linked to social grants
• benefits for child-headed households
• social relief during a disaster such as Covid-19

These amendments are necessary because of a changing social environment, where the number of fostered children and child-headed homes have both increased, as well as disasters that leave families in social and financial distress. The previous, lengthy, grant renewal process also resulted in payment backlogs.

The adjustments aim to simplify administrative processes so that beneficiaries receive their payouts without hassles. The value of the grant should also be boosted to support relatives caring for children without having to go through the foster care process. These adjustments include simplifying the appeal process such that applications for appeal to the Independent Tribunal be allowed immediately on receiving a decision from SASSA and for a period of 90 days.

It also proposes the primary caregivers support for a child support grant.

People affected by and/or interested in the Bill are invited to give their input at during a Public Hearing on Monday, 5 October 2020 at 18:00 at Sedibeng District Municipality – Banquet Hall – Cnr Beaconsfield Avenue & Leslie Street, Vereeniging.

The hearing will also be live streamed on our YouTube and Facebook channels.

For more information and to make a submissions, please contact Mr Sipho Nqwala on 0605331975 or snqwala@gpl.gov.za

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