Sassa says it is concerned about false information circulating on social media claiming that the agency has updated its policy to allow foreign nationals to access South African taxpayers’ money as asylum seekers or special permit holders.

According to Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi, this information is incorrect, misleading and could cause unnecessary confusion for social grant beneficiaries and the public.

Letsatsi said Sassa wishes to categorically state on the record that no policies or regulations have been amended regarding Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) funding.

ALSO READ: Hands-on planting initiative connects tourists with local traditions in Shabalala near Hazyview

“No such amendments were announced by either the Minister of Finance during his medium-term budget policy statement, or by Minister of Social Development Sisisi Nokuzola Tolashe during her budget vote speech. The National Treasury and the Department of Social Development are the government entities responsible for any policy shifts in social assistance.”

Sassa CEO Themba Matlou urged members of the public not to circulate incorrect information in a country facing broad social challenges.

“No regulations have been amended, nor have the eligibility criteria changed. Should there be any changes, they will be announced by the Minister of Social Development and published accordingly. Members of the public need to verify information through official government channels before sharing,” said Matlou.

The Covid-19 SRD regulations, published in 2022, outline the eligibility criteria.

“A person in need of temporary assistance may qualify for Covid-19 SDR if he or she has insufficient means,” Matlou explained.

Applicants must be: a South African citizen or permanent resident; a refugee; a holder of a permit under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit Dispensation, or the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation; an asylum seeker with a valid section 22 permit or visa; and registered either on the Department of Home Affairs database or Sassa’s social grant database, with a unique system-generated identifying number for those without identity documents.

Applicants must also be between 18 and 60 years old, currently residing in South Africa, not residents of a government-funded or subsidised institution, and not unreasonably refuse employment or educational opportunities.

ALSO READ: Lowveld dams overflow

As of January 1, Sassa had received 14 135 applications from permanent residents, refugees, or holders of a special permit. Of these, 8 368 applications were approved and 2 690 payments were made.