Parliamentary Monitoring: SASSA

28.01.09

Portfolio Committee Meeting- Annual Report 2007/2008

ADRO attended the SASSA portfolio meeting in order to lobby the department and acquire further information regarding the Social Relief of Distress grant in relation to refugees.

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant was an area of particular focus, since more people require social assistance in the global economic crisis. The department received a large amount of cash in December and therefore appeared to pay out to more people. With this cash running out, SASSA must again limit the amount of people who are eligible for the grant. The SRD is designed to support families outside of the assistance framework, but only for a short period (3 months, 6 months in exceptional circumstances). Beneficiaries might receive cash or a food voucher. Currently, only cash is offered to those living in the Western Cape. SASSA may also assist with the purchasing of school uniforms for those claiming SRD. It was emphasized that the SRD is not intended to support those undertaking higher education, to the disgruntlement of some parliamentarians. Because SASSA have a fixed amount to spend on social grants, restrictions on who qualifies must remain tight.

The question of whether refugees are eligible for this grant was posed on behalf of ADRO, by the chairperson. SASSA confirmed that only adult disabled refugees, and those who are fostering a child are able to receive this benefit. SASSA’s spokesperson on this matter implied that the department was reviewing the current legislation with the possibility of expanding their definition of a refugee, but did not comment further on the immediate impact this had on the refugees displaced last year due to xenophobic attacks. Such limited criteria means that relatively few refugees can benefit from this grant, and many will remain without government assistance of any kind. The answers provided by the committee confirm the requirements, responsibilities and expectations of local NGOs, such as ADRO, in providing continuous support for these communities.