No grant for nine months
Boksburg resident, Beryl Mulder, has raised her concerns over not receiving her disability grant since July, 2013.
She says that she has been on a disability grant since 2000, and has never had a problem receiving her grant until last year.
“I have been to Germiston offices on numerous occasions, and have been refused help. I was told I needed a doctor’s certificate stating that I qualify for the grant.”
Mulder adds that she saw a doctor at the Boksburg clinic who wrote a letter stating that she did qualify for the grant.
“The doctor at the South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) offices in Germiston, however, said that I did not qualify.”
She says that she now has no food in her home.
Gerry Rees, the regional executive manager for SASSA, says that Mulder’s case is currently in the appeals process.
“We have granted Mulder social relief of distress where she will receive a food voucher for three months, and in extreme circumstances, we can extend this for a further three months,” he says.
He says that when a social worker performed a home visit, it was found that Mulder shares a residence with a man whose case is also in the appeals process.
“He received social relief of distress this month, as a result the social worker recommended that Mulder should share the groceries with him. She will then be offered social relief of distress again in April.”
Rees adds that the doctors at the SASSA offices are on contract and are paid to follow their Act to determine whether or not the applicant is eligible for a disability grant.
“If the applicant is unhappy with the doctor’s findings, then they may request a review.
“If they are still unhappy with the outcome of the review, then they may appeal, this and an outside agency consisting of doctors and lawyers will review their case.”
