Disability grant applications – your right to appeal
If the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) rejects your application for a disability grant, you have a right to appeal the decision within a period of 30 days from the date you receive the rejection letter.
THE South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released a statement encouraging disability grant applicants to lodge an appeal if their application is not approved.
SASSA advised applicants that the appeal must be lodged within 30 days after receiving a rejection letter, and the process of reviewing the appeal also takes 30 days.
“If the applicant does not understand the rejection reasons, they have a right to ask SASSA officials to provide clarity,” said SASSA in a statement.
The agency stated that all approved disability grant beneficiaries receive an increased amount of R2 090 monthly by the Minister of Treasury from October 2023, due to budget review.
It explained that the applicant must note that SASSA works together with professional, contracted medical doctors who ensure that qualifying applicants get the disability grant.
“SASSA-contracted medical doctors work under the supervision, approved regulations and guidelines of SASSA and the Department of Health.
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“It is only a SASSA-contracted medical doctor who can conduct the assessment and submit a report to SASSA which determines whether the applicant qualifies for a temporary or permanent disability grant. The assessment report is based on the information presented to the doctor, and a physical assessment is also conducted,” the agency said.
The applicant must meet the following requirements. They must:
– Be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee permanently residing in South Africa;
– Be from 18 to 59 years of age;
– Undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming disability;
– Provide clinical information or a referral form confirming disability, or provide a referral form duly completed by a treating facility or practitioner if previously rejected on medical grounds;
– The applicant and spouse must be subjected to the Means Test;
– Not be maintained or cared for in a State-funded institution;
– Not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself;
– Submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document or the smart ID card for self and spouse. In the absence of an ID or a birth certificate, an alternative identification prescribed by SASSA will be acceptable.
For more information, applicants are advised to contact the toll-free number during working days/hours on Monday to Friday: 0800 60 10 11/013 754 9428/9363 or WhatsApp on 082 046 8553.
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