The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has begun the process of increasing the grants income cap and will help R350 SRD grant recipients when looking for employment. Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu recently disclosed that SASSA is developing a strategy to assist recipients in finding jobs.
When the Department of Social Development implemented the means test, thousands of unemployed South Africans were left in limbo. The means test which was meant to cut the number of beneficiaries based on an amount they receive in their accounts, saw thousands of people being left out.
For the 2022-3023 year, SASSA was handed a budget of R44 billion, enough to pay about 10.5 million people. The income threshold was lowered for the eligibility was lowered by the agency from R595 to R350 to stay within budget.
On Friday, 5 August, Laetitia Arries, the Economic Freedom Fighters MP asked Minister Zulu what her department will do to accommodate “the more than 500 000 people” excluded from the grant due to budget constraints.
Zulu said the budget allocation for the current financial year is slightly less than the previous iteration of the grand and added that treasury has made additional budget available to various departments to “create much-needed job opportunities.”
The Minister disclosed that SASSA is in the process of creating data sharing partnership with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and labour. The ultimate objective of this partnership is to provide R350 grant recipients with access to job opportunities.
“Furthermore, the Department has finalised a framework on linking social protection beneficiaries to sustainable livelihoods initiatives, with the view to provide skills targeting the unemployed and those on the SRD database to enhance chances of employment.”
Source: The South African, TDPel Media, image from Twitter: IOL