Grant stopped, woman at a loss
Chantelle wishes that her grant would be considered by Sassa as she needs the money to survive.
MOFFATVIEW – Resident Chantelle van Rooyen (38) is struggling to make ends meet after her South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant was discontinued and her reapplication denied four times.
Thirteen years ago Chantelle was involved in an accident that left her with brain trauma and frontal lobe syndrome which causes memory loss and mood swings. According to Chantelle she easily forgets important things which makes it difficult to hold down a steady job. She said she was receiving a temporary disability grant from Sassa and that the grant helped her survive and contribute towards her eight-year-old son’s financial needs.
“My grant was discontinued about four years ago because of my memory difficulties I cannot remember the exact dates. All I know is that I have applied four times to have my grant reconsidered and in all four instances it was declined. Now it is even difficult to take R50 to buy something nice for my son who lives with my caring and supportive mother because I can longer provide for him,” said Chantelle.
Chantelle lives with her husband and his pension is the only money they can depend on when he is not doing odd jobs. “I wish I could work but I would not be able to do work that requires me to depend much on memory,” she said.
Chantelle hopes that her grant will be reconsidered by Sassa as she is struggling to make ends meet and does not understand why her grant was not made permanent as she is still taking medication. Chantelle has even hoped to receive food vouchers at Sassa but was reportedly told they were finished. She hopes to find a job that she will be able to do and will enable her to support her son and asks potential employers to contact her on 076 0459 465.
COURIER contacted Sassa for comment.
