Snaking lines forming outside the Sassa Benoni local office, before dawn has become a familiar sight.

Mothers with babies, the elderly, and people with disabilities often wait for hours just to be turned away at the door.

To better manage the flow of applicants visiting the local Sassa office, officials have allocated specific days to process different categories of grants and enquiries.

Allocations are as follows:
• Old age grants: Monday and Tuesday.
• Child support grants: Wednesday and Thursday.
• Foster care and disability grants: Friday.

Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph, who also serves on the oversight committees for water, energy and sanitation, and ethics and integrity, recently visited the office with MP Bridget Masango, chairperson of the portfolio committee on social development.

“The visit was prompted by growing complaints about lengthy waiting periods and the harsh conditions residents faced when trying to access services,” said Joseph.

“Residents from Benoni, Daveyton, Etwatwa, Mayfield, Actonville, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Edenvale, and Bedfordview rely on services offered at the local office, waiting for hours in a space that offers no seating, cover from the elements, or access to bathroom facilities.

“This is not only inconvenient but undignified and unacceptable.”

According to Joseph, the office has 21 officials who must attend to hundreds of clients daily.

“Each staff member on average tends to 20 to 30 individuals per day,” she said.

Joseph’s view is that the current system is deeply flawed and unsustainable.

“Vulnerable members of the community have to wait for long periods in unsafe conditions.

“The staff are overwhelmed and severely under-resourced,” she said.

“I will launch a petition to the provincial and national governments requesting more Sassa offices across Ekurhuleni, additional trained staff to reduce backlogs, seating and shelter for beneficiaries, improved outreach for home-bound beneficiaries, and decentralised services to avoid applicants from travelling across multiple city borders to access services.”

“They request beneficiaries to visit the branch on the designated days. They assured us that if applicants are turned away due to the office reaching full capacity, they may be requested to be rebooked for another date,” Joseph said.

“When making an alternative booking, ensure that you visit the office during the allocated timeslot.”

She said some pensioners benefitting from old age grants have received SMS notifications stating that their profile is under review.

“Go to the Sassa office as soon as possible with the correct and required documentation if you have received such an SMS. There are currently just over 1 000 pensioners in Benoni alone who need to undergo the review process,” said Joseph.

“These reviews are conducted to confirm whether beneficiaries still qualify for grants and to update their personal information. It is a standard process that takes place annually or when Sassa suspects changes to the beneficiary’s income.”

Documentation required for review:
• Certified copies of ID for both the beneficiary and spouse.
• Proof of marital status.
• Proof of all private income.
• Three months of bank statements for all accounts held by the beneficiary.
• Proof of residence.
• Medical aid letter documenting out-of-pocket payments.
• Proof of any unoccupied owned fixed property.

Requirements may differ based on the individual’s financial circumstances.

“The department does home visits to beneficiaries who are bedridden or otherwise incapable of visiting the office in person. However, due to limited staff, these visits are strictly prioritised for urgent and critical cases,” Joseph said.

The Sassa Benoni Local Office is located at 87 Elston Avenue, and operating hours are Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 16:00.

For more information, enquiries, or assistance, contact Sassa on 0800 60 10 11 or WhatsApp 082 04 0016.  Alternatively visit www.sassa.gov.za or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za

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