Disability grant applicants who need medical verification forms completed should visit their nearest clinic or community health centre, the Gauteng Department of Health has urged.

This follows a rise in the number of people going to hospitals for the service.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, said members of the public applying for disability grants through the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) should use Primary Health Care facilities for help with the forms.

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The medical verification forms are also known as referral forms or functional referral forms and are part of the disability grant application process.

According to the department, some applicants have been visiting hospitals to have the forms completed.

However, under the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule, applicants may be required to pay a prescribed fee when such administrative services are provided at hospital level.

The department said the service is available free of charge at clinics and Community Health Centres.

Applicants are encouraged to visit their nearest clinic or community health centre, where health practitioners can assist them with the required medical forms. This will help applicants avoid unnecessary hospital visits and possible hospital fees.

“We want to make it easier for disability grant applicants to access the assistance they need. Clinics and CHCs are closer to communities and are better placed to assist with SASSA-related forms without placing an additional financial burden on applicants.

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“We appeal to residents to only use hospitals for services that require specialised care,” Mazibuko said.

The department further reminded applicants to bring their relevant SASSA documents, identity documents and any available medical records. These documents will help health practitioners complete the forms accurately.