SASSA faces legal action over delayed SRD R350 grant payments

SASSA faces legal action over delayed SRD R350 grant payments

South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) is facing legal action over the delayed payment of the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which was meant to provide temporary assistance to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Black Sash Trust, a non-profit organisation that advocates for social justice, has filed an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court, seeking relief for thousands of applicants who have not yet received their payments. The Trust is seeking an order compelling SASSA to make the payments within seven days and to report to the court on its progress in processing outstanding applications.

According to the Black Sash Trust, the delays in the payment of the SRD grant have caused immense hardship for many applicants who are struggling to make ends meet. The Trust has accused SASSA of failing to meet its obligations under the law, and has called for urgent action to be taken to address the situation.

SASSA has acknowledged the delays in the payment of the SRD grant and has attributed them to a number of factors, including a high volume of applications and the need to verify the eligibility of applicants. The agency has also cited administrative challenges, including a shortage of staff and the need to comply with COVID-19 protocols, as contributing to the delays.

However, the Black Sash Trust has argued that SASSA’s explanations are inadequate and that urgent action is needed to ensure that the payments are made as soon as possible. The Trust has also accused SASSA of failing to communicate with applicants and of providing inadequate support to those who have not received their payments.

The delays in the payment of the R350 SRD grant have caused significant frustration and anxiety for many applicants, who have been relying on the grant to survive during the pandemic. The legal action taken by the Black Sash Trust is an important step in ensuring that SASSA meets its obligations and that the payments are made as soon as possible.

It is hoped that the legal action will also lead to improvements in the processing of applications and to measures being put in place to prevent delays in the future. The Black Sash Trust has called for urgent action to be taken to address the situation, and it is expected that the court will deliver a ruling on the matter in the coming days.
The delays in the payment of the R350 SRD grant have been a source of frustration for many applicants, who have been waiting for weeks or even months to receive their payments. The grant was intended to provide temporary relief to those who were not receiving any other form of income and who were struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

SASSA has previously acknowledged the delays and has stated that it is working to address the situation. The agency has also announced that it will be introducing a new system for processing applications, which it hopes will speed up the process and reduce delays.

However, the Black Sash Trust and other organisations have criticised SASSA’s response to the situation, stating that it has not done enough to address the delays and to provide support to those who have not received their payments. The Trust has called for urgent action to be taken to ensure that the payments are made as soon as possible and to prevent similar delays from occurring in the future.

The legal action taken by the Black Sash Trust is the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the distribution of the R350 SRD grant. The delays have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the grant program and about the ability of SASSA to distribute social grants in an efficient and timely manner.

The situation has also highlighted the challenges faced by many South Africans who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. The delays in the payment of the grant have had a significant impact on the lives of many people, and the legal action taken by the Black Sash Trust is an important step in addressing the situation and providing support to those in need.

It is hoped that the legal action will lead to improvements in the distribution of the R350 SRD grant and in the processing of applications. It is also hoped that it will lead to greater accountability and transparency on the part of SASSA, and that it will help to restore the trust of the public in the agency and in the government’s ability to provide support to those in need.