Here’s a first-hand account of what grant recipients who break the SASSA income threshold must go through. At the start of May, the agency warned that any suspect/unverified accounts would not have their grants paid. And beneficiaries would be notified by text to validate their profiles in-person at a SASSA office.
Initially, SASSA made this sound largely like an identity verification process. However, we’re now aware that thousands of grants were overturned due to breaches of the SASSA income threshold. All grant recipient should be aware of the income and asset limits that apply to their specific monthly stipend, as these differ for Old Age and Childcare grants.
SASSA INCOME THRESHOLD BREACHED
Nevertheless, it appears the South African Social Security Agency is finally taking a hardline approach to enforcement. According to The Citizen, anyone who exceeds the SASSA income threshold is being forced to repay their ill-gotten money.
At last count, nearly 45% of the population is receiving some form of social welfare payment each month. 4 million of these are SASSA Old-Age grants, 13 million are SASSA Child Support beneficiaries and there are nearly 10 million SRD recipients each month.
SASSA FORCED TO TIGHTEN ITS BELT
That’s a lot of people who need their SASSA income threshold and identities verified. Previously, the agency was mandated to serve a written notice of upcoming SASSA grant reviews. Moreover, you were given three months to rectify your finances to comply with any asset and income requirements.
Now, however, it appears a new precedent has been set from last month onwards, in which the grant is overturned first and clients must rectify afterwards. According to reports, a child support beneficiary who breached the SASSA income threshold last month is in the process of repaying R3 360. Considering the grant pays out only R560 per month, that’s more than five months’ worth of assistance owing.
DON’T FORGET THE SASSA INCOME THRESHOLD
Reports suggest one mother suddenly stopped receiving Child Support payments in May and June. She was alerted via text to visit an agency office in-person and was told to bring a recent bank statement, payslip and copy of her and her child’s ID. It came to light that she got a job in January, and her employment income had exceeded the SASSA income threshold.
In turn, the agency offered her two options to repay the ill-gotten government assistance. Either pay R3 360 in full before the end of June or make the payment over six months at R560 per month – plus interest. The latter would essentially negate the job she’s just secured, costing her more over six months.
HOW TO MAKE REPAYMENTS TO SASSA
SASSA provides several options for beneficiaries to repay grants:
- In-person at any SASSA branch office.
- Bank transfers to SASSA regional accounts.
- Debit orders arranged through the beneficiaries’ bank.
Note that when beneficiaries cannot afford to repay funds within a certain timeframe, extensions can be approved by SASSA officials. Although interest charges on outstanding amounts will still accrue.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SYMPATHY FOR THOSE EXCEEDING THE SASSA INCOME THRESHOLD?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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