SASSA R350 Grant 44 Billion Allocated - Covid-19 Drilling.
Press Release: 15th June
The extra R44 billion allocated for the Covid-19 social relief of hardship grant will go to more than 10.5 million South Africans who qualify.
In her speech to the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday on her department's budget vote, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu disclosed this.
"We sincerely recognize the suffering and adversity that our people are experiencing, and we intend to make sure that each of the 10.5 million qualified recipients receives their payment.
The payouts include appeals going all the way back to August 2021.
These unpaid invoices will be resolved and paid." Said Zulu
She stated that until the end of March of the next year, the special Covid-19 grant will be awarded.
Zulu continued by stating that the department had received a total of R257 billion for the 2022–2023 fiscal year, of which R248 billion would be distributed to the more than 18 million recipients of social grants each month.
Zulu said that R7.4 billion had been set aside for the SA Social Security Agency's operations and grant payment expenses ().
She said that after putting in a lot of effort with the banks on Monday, SASSA R350 grant payment were made first.
While 321 819 recipients received payment on Monday, she stated that by the end of the week, more than 700 000 beneficiaries will get payment.
Zulu said that the search for a thorough legal solution to the problems with foster care that had bedeviled the industry for many years was also nearing a turning point.
"Amounts of R687 million in 2023–2024 and R871 million in 2024–25 have been set aside for the implementation of the much anticipated top-up child support grant for orphans who are in the custody of relatives, also known as the extended child support grant.
To pay for the top-up child support grant, funds will be reprioritized within the present R248 billion budget for social grants spending.
She said that SASSA has currently received over 1000 applications from qualified carers who were eligible to earn R720 per kid per month.
Over 191 000 relatives and carers are anticipated to benefit from the program only this fiscal year.
According to Zulu, the National Development Agency received a transfer of R219 million to its budget during this fiscal year as a contribution to the accomplishment of its purpose, which includes grant financing and the development of the capacity of civil society organizations.
Zulu reported that R63.2 billion had been allotted to provincial ministries throughout the medium-term spending plan for 2022.
