Social Grant Information PART 1

Source: Adapted from an article in The Independent on Saturday, 23 Feb 2002. Courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd

A social grant is funding one can receive from the government if one has limited or no sources of income and cannot pay for food and shelter. This money comes from a fund that the government supports through taxes and other sources. Certain rules apply to make sure that only those who genuinely need it will qualify for assistance.

Only South African citizens qualify to receive a social grant. One will not receive a grant if one is in a State institution receiving food and shelter, such as a State old-age home, a prison, a psychiatric hospital or care-and-treatment centre. When one applies for a social grant, a welfare officer will consider whether the applicant has any other sources of income (such as salary, pension, rent received or interest earned from assets owned by the applicant. The more money one earns, the lower the grant will be. If you own the property you live in, its value will not be considered as an asset, but applications may be refused a grant if one's income and assets are too high.

Where and how to apply for a grant:

Apply at the nearest Welfare Office. If there is no office close to you, go to the nearest Magistrate's Office. If you cannot go to apply yourself, a family member or friend can do so with your written permission and a doctor's certificate stating that you are unable to apply for yourself. If you cannot fill in an application form yourself, it will be filled in for you and checked with your documents by an officer in your presence before you sign it. You will be given a copy of the completed form or a receipt with a date stamp and the signature showing the name of the officer who helped you. Keep this receipt as proof of your application. It does not cost you anything to apply for a grant. If your application is unsuccessful, you should receive a written explanation.

When will I start receiving money?

This varies from province to province, but you should receive the first payment within three months. When you apply, you will be told when you will be paid. You can keep track of the application by phoning the welfare department's toll-free number: 0800 220 250

How grants are paid:

Grants are paid once a month. As soon as the grant is approved, payment is backdated to the date of application. Foster-child grants are paid from the date of the court order when the child was placed in the custody of the foster parents. When you apply, tell the official how you want to be paid. You have several choices. These are (1) The Post Office, (2) Direct into your bank account, (3) In cash at the Welfare Department, (4) In cash from the machine at a paypoint at a Welfare Office (you put your hand or card on a screen and the machine will identify you and how much you are due to be paid - if the money is not available, a statement will explain this), (5) By cheque through the mail, (6) If you live in a private institution, it will receive a cheque on your behalf.

If you can't collect your grant:

When you cannot collect the grant yourself, you can select someone to collect it for you. You have to sign a form called a "Power of Attorney" form that entitles the person you select to collect your money for you. You can get this form at your Welfare Office.

Remember:

The Welfare Department will review your circumstances every year. If your grant stops, visit or phone a Welfare Office near you, or call the toll-free number. If you have a complaint about a Welfare employee, call the offices of the Minister of Social Development,Mr Zola Skweyiya:

Telephone: (012) 312 7636
Fax: (012) 325 7071

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