The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is busy reassessing rejected applications for the R350 Covid-19 relief grant.
The agency says it is treating the matter with the utmost urgency, as it pushes not only for the poor but for those who have lost their jobs.
“In early June, close to 50% of processed applications did not qualify in terms of the criteria. Over 70% of those that did not qualify were either receiving or qualifying for UIF benefits,” SASSA explained.
However, SASSA confirms this was largely due to the system used at the time which seems t have been outdated. The agency has recently requested an updated database which is now used to reconsider the rejected applications.
“Out of this reconsideration process, it emerged that 85% of the UIF cases, which were previously deemed not to be qualifying, actually qualify. They have been approved and are being made aware of this development individually, as and when such favourable decision is reached.”
SASSA says it will be sending those qualifying individuals an SMS requesting banking details. The SMS will be a once-off and is linked to an ID number for security reasons.
So far, as many as 2.5 million applicants have already received payment.
“Updating the UIF database has brought such a relief to us and the affected beneficiaries. The numbers will rise daily until we have paid all deserving individuals who were previously declined,” said Totsie Memela, the SASSA CEO.
