SASSA will extend ‘temporary social grants’ until December

Newly gazetted laws published by the Social Development Department have outlined the terms for extended multiple social grants – up until the end of the year. However, the situation regarding the SASSA R350 payment remains up in the air.

What temporary social grants will be extended past October?

Minister Lindiwe Zulu has officially signed off on legislation that allows two major social grants – the temporary disability grant and temporary care dependency grants – a payment extension. Here’s who qualifies for the incentive:

• SASSA will reassess some decisions, taking into consideration the reasons provided in applications for reassessment.
• Going forward, temporary disability grants that lapsed in July, or were due to lapse between August – October 2020, have been extended until 31 December this year.
• Care dependency grants that were extended to October – or were due to lapse between November – December 2020 – have been extended until 31 December this year.
• There will be no ‘October lapses’ for the aforementioned recipients. The updated guidance reads:

“Temporary disability grants which lapsed in July 2020 or are due to lapse during the months of August to October, will not lapse until the end of 31 December 2020 and must continue to be paid until 31 December 2020.”

“Care dependency grants, which were extended to October 2020 under the Directions published in the Government Notice of 9 May 2020, and care dependency grants that will lapse during the months of November to December, will not lapse in October 2020, but will continue to be paid until 31 December 2020.”

Lindiwe Zulu, Government Gazette

SASSA: When do R350 grant payments expire?

However, the R350 grant is conspicuous in its absence. Over the past few days, ministers – including Zulu herself – have made it clear that the SRD grant will become a permanent fixture in South Africa. However, government officials are also aware of the daunting costs such an operation could run-up annually.

Handing out R350 a month to millions of applicants could cost South Africa anywhere between R30 – 50 billion, and as Zulu made clear on Wednesday, Mzansi currently doesn’t have that much money to spare. She did, however, confirm that there is widespread support to make the R350 grant the ‘Basic Income Grant’ – and discussions to implement this are ongoing.