SASSA extends disability grants over lockdown period
Disability grants that were supposed to lapse from March have been extended to the end of October
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has devised new strategies to restore lapsing disability grants.
According to SASSA provincial spokesperson Sandy Godlwana, disability grants that were supposed to lapse from March have been extended to the end of October this year.
“Ministerial directions issued on March 30 enable continued payment of temporary disability grants throughout the lockdown period. Directions were issued in order to reinstate all temporary disability grants that lapsed in the period between February and June 2020. These grants will remain in payment until October 2020.”
Godlwana added that disability grant applications require assessment by a medical doctor. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a situation where services from the Department of Health (such as these assessments) have been suspended in order to redirect resources to combat the disease.
Temporary disability grants have a lifespan of 12 months and all beneficiaries have to re-apply after the prescribed period. In 12 months, there is a possibility that a medical condition might have improved to the extent that it does not require continuation of a temporary disability grant.
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Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Ladysmith Gazette.
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