The South African Social Security Agency has revealed the extent to which 2024 SASSA SRD applications outstrip the number approved, reports GroundUp. Social Relief of Distress (SRD) was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s been extended every year since. Many social justice organisations believe SRD will be extended again after March 2025 and eventually morph into a basic income grant for the unemployed.
2024 SASSA SRD APPLICATIONS
Nevertheless, while the rest of SASSA October grants like Older Persons, Child Support and Disability are being disbursed this week, the agency has revealed how many 2024 SASSA SRD applications it receives monthly. Unbelievably, the R370 stipend saw more than 17-million applications in September alone. The agency can only afford to pay less than one-third of these – approximately 7 million.
Sadly, the grant is meant for the absolute poorest in the country who have virtually no means of income. And it appears the number of applicants is growing by millions every month. The agency says 4-million people made first-time 2024 SRD grant applications last month (September 2024). More than 9-million applicants were women, with just less than 8 million being men.
WHY THE SHARP INCREASE?
The sheer number of 2024 SASSA SRD applications leaves the door open for fraudsters, reports Business Tech, quoting SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi’s interview with Newzroom Afrika. The agency identified an uptick in ‘chancers and fraudsters’ trying to gain access to the SASSA grant system, confirms Letsatsi. If every single application was approved and paid, the total monthly expenditure would be more than R6 billion. And this comes out of taxpayer coffers.
In a bid to eliminate identity theft, SASSA has beefed up its biometric verification process. This sees applicants having to use a camera-enabled smartphone to photograph themselves. However, this has caused as many issues as it has solved, because beneficiaries have alleged been kicked out of the system if they don’t have the latest smart ID card with a digital photo. Fortunately, SASSA has installed machines in their offices to help those without smartphones to complete the facial recognition process in-person.
WHEN IS THE NEXT SRD PAYMENT?
Spread over five days, 2024 SASSA SRD applications for October will be paid between Friday 25 October and Tuesday 29 October 2024. A reminder that the agency says funds may take between 2-3 days to reflect in your account. Visit the SASSA SRD website to confirm your grant status for October 2024 payments. When you punch in your ID number, name and cellphone number you will receive one of the following responses as to your current status:
- COMPLETE – Your application is received but is not approved yet. There is nothing more you need to do here.
- PENDING – SASSA is in the process of verifying your application. No further action is needed.
- APPROVED – Congrats, SASSA has approved your grant application for the month. The agency will inform you when your next payment date is.
- BANK DETAILS PENDING – If SASSA does not have your banking details or a chosen payment method, you need to update this.
- REAPPLICATION PENDING – This means you need to submit a reapplication for the SRD grant (this must be done every month).
- DECLINED – SASSA has declined your application because you did not meet all the criteria. The reason why will be listed.
- CANCELLED – If you have a job, no longer meet the requirements and the agency believes you receive other income. To clear any issues around potentially fraudulent activity – like your account has been hacked – email: referred@sassa.gov.za
ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH YOUR SASSA SRD GRANT?
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