SASSA disability grant applicants urged to use clinics for medical verification
Applicants are reminded to bring their SASSA documents, ID and any available medical records to assist healthcare practitioners in completing the required forms accurately.
The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, has urged members of the public applying for disability grants through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to visit their nearest primary healthcare facility for assistance with medical verification forms.
The department said some applicants are unnecessarily visiting hospitals to have SASSA-related medical verification forms, also known as referral or functional referral forms, completed.
In line with the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS), applicants may be required to pay a prescribed fee when these administrative services are rendered at the hospital level.
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However, the service is available free of charge at clinics and community health centres (CHCs).
Applicants are therefore encouraged to visit their nearest clinic or CHC, where healthcare practitioners are available to assist with the required forms as part of the disability grant application process.
According to the department, this will help applicants avoid unnecessary hospital visits and additional costs.
“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,” said Mazibuko.
The department further reminded applicants to bring the relevant SASSA documents, identity documents and any available medical records to assist healthcare practitioners in completing the forms accurately.
