Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu on Monday announced the launch of government’s Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for qualifying South Africans.

The Social Development Department (SDD) has successfully pilot tested a new contactless application system that will go live on Monday.

“Let me hasten to add that as we implement this special grant, we will remain vigilant and not tolerate any form of fraud and corruption. We have thus built in strong cybersecurity and strong monitoring mechanisms in this regard. All instances of suspected fraud or corruption will be investigated thoroughly with appropriate action taken where such conduct is found,” warned Zulu.

She added that the department had set up a dedicated WhatsApp line, after having tested the concept through the Department of Health’s WhatsApp platform. 

The department said of the 91 000 people who applied via WhatsApp, 11 000 were already on social grants and of the 250 000 people who applied via email, 50% were already receiving social grants.  

“Those who have applied through this platform during the testing phase will be processed in line with the set criteria and successful applicants will be notified during the course of this week in order to request additional information for payments,” Zulu said.

Zulu outlined the criteria for the grant, noting that this grant will be available to South African citizens, and permanent residents and refugees registered on the Home Affairs system resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

Applicants must be over the age of 18 years; unemployed; not be receiving any income, social grant, unemployment insurance benefits or stipends from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme; and not be resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

Prospective applicants will need to provide identity numbers, contact details and banking details.

She explained that proof of residential address was no longer required but only a residential address was required.  

Qualifying citizens can apply for the grant through the new WhatsApp line on 082 0468 553, the SMS line: *134*7737# and via email: srd@sassa.gov.za.

Zulu said the department was mindful that it might have some challenges as it rolled out this grant and appealed to members of the public to exercise patience as it rolled out the grant.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Zulu said the department had noted the challenges surrounding the long queues for food being distributed by nongovernment organisations (NGO’s).

The Minister explained that uncoordinated food distribution created duplication, and challenges of partisanship and corruption, and that while proper coordination structures and mechanisms at national level and in provinces existed, her department acknowledged it was not enough.

The SDD will develop directives that address this challenge, and will encourage not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) to coordinate with municipalities, provinces and law enforcement agencies to ensure that they distribute food in an improved, coordinated manner.

Zulu pleaded with the recipients of food parcels to not take more than their share, urging them to understand that resources were limited.

SASSA OFFICES & GRANTS

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices will be opened as of May 11 with limited services, with 30% of its workforce returning to work on a rotational basis to continue to render social services to the public.

Sassa CEO Memela Khambula explained that Mondays and Tuesdays will be used for applications by older persons and Wednesdays and Thursdays will be new applications for child support and foster child grants.

Priority will be given to caregivers with new babies, instances where the caregiver has to change or where circumstances have resulted in caregivers having no income to support their children. 

Khambula appealed to caregivers not to bring their children with when they go to the Sassa offices to minimise the risk of infection these young people may face.

Zulu also announced that temporary disability grants will be extended.

“We are taking proactive measures to protect the livelihoods of the most vulnerable in our society during this difficult period. To this end, we have published the regulations which give effect to the extension of temporary disability grants from the date they were suspended until the end of October this year. This extension applies to all temporary disability grants that lapsed between February and March,” the Minister explained.

Suspended temporary disability grants will be reinstated and paid until the end of October, as well as care dependency and foster child grants that are expected to lapse during lockdown.

The payment of these reinstated grants will take place before the end of May.