Millions of South Africans now rely on the (SASSA) for financial support, especially with the Special Relief of Distress (SRD) award, which was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating effects on the country’s economy. Nonetheless, the Department of Social Development has been entrusted with enhancing the system to combat fraud and corruption. Merely 2% of the 10 million appeals submitted by SRD grant applicants have been granted, which begs essential issues concerning the appeals procedure, the causes of the delays, and the prospects for those still awaiting award approval.
What Are SRD Appeals?
A temporary measure, the SRD award is intended to help jobless people without income, social assistance, or UIF payment. An applicant may use SASSA’s appeals procedure to challenge a grant decision that is denied to them. In essence, an appeal is a request for a reexamination of the application, during which the applicant offers more details or addresses any inconsistencies that could have contributed to the first denial.
How do you file an appeal for an SRD Grant?
- The official Sassa SRD website is where appeals must be lodged.
- Use your ID number and the phone number you used to submit the initial application to log in.
- Your phone will prompt you for a PIN, which you must enter to proceed.
- Once you’ve logged in, choose “Appeal.”
- Select an appealing cause from the provided dropdown menu.
You’ll get an SMS to let you know if your appeal is accepted. It is recommended that you verify the status of your appeal after 90 days if you do not receive an SMS.
After 60 days after submitting their appeal, applicants who filed SRD grant appeals should visit their local Sassa office to find out if their appeal was granted or denied. Applicants will then need to request a review from the High Court if their appeal is denied.
Why Does the Appeal Process Take So Long?
The overwhelming number of appeals—more than 10 million—has made it difficult for SASSA to handle them quickly. The following factors are involved in the delays:
- Excessive Demand: Although the SRD award was intended to be a short-term relief measure, SASSA’s resources are now being taxed due to the excessive demand. The system is being inundated with millions of appeals, which has naturally caused the processing time to lag.
- Administrative Difficulties: Ensuring that applicants fulfill eligibility requirements, thoroughly verifying their information, and cross-referencing it with other government databases are all part of the appeals process. Administrative backlogs have made this laborious procedure even more difficult and time-consuming.
How Does the Appeal Process Operate?
Applicants may file an appeal via the SRD grant helpline or the SASSA website if their SRD grant is rejected. This is how the procedure operates:
- Submission: The applicant files the appeal, including any supporting paperwork or extra information.
- Review: The appeal is examined by SASSA representatives, who verify the applicant’s details by cross-referencing them with databases from the Department of Home Affairs, UIF, and other government agencies.
- Decision: SASSA decides on the appeal following a careful evaluation. The grant money will be awarded to the applicant if they are accepted. If the application is rejected, the applicant is notified of why and may only have a few options for appeal.
Why Are Appeals Denied So Frequently?
Concern over the fairness and openness of the appeals procedure is rising since just 2% of the 10 million appeals filed are granted. The high rejection rate has been attributed to several factors:
- The stringent qualifying requirements imposed by SASSA, which include not having another source of income and not being registered with UIF, may not be met by many applicants.
- Incomplete applications: A sizable portion of appeals may be denied due to applicants providing false or missing information.
- Problems with Verification: The SASSA has noted difficulties in confirming the information submitted by applicants, especially where there are disparities between the data and official records.
What Happens to the Approved Appeals Next?
Due to the low approval rate, millions of South Africans are in a precarious financial situation. The Department of Social Development has acknowledged the backlog and delays in the appeals procedure, and initiatives are apparently in place to resolve these problems. The precise timetable for clearing the backlog is yet unknown, though.
Before submitting a fresh appeal, applicants whose previous appeals were dismissed are urged by SASSA to ensure all material is correct and comprehensive. To be updated on any developments, applicants are also advised to check the status of their applications frequently via the proper SASSA channels.
In an unprecedented crisis, the SRD grant was instituted as a vital safety net for millions of South Africans. However, the difficulties SASSA has had handling the voluminous number of appeals have brought to light severe weaknesses in the system. The future for those who depend on this award to meet their basic requirements is still unknown, as just 2% of appeals are successful. It is hoped that as SASSA and the Department of Social Development strive to remedy these problems, the appeals process will become more effective, transparent, and equitable, giving individuals in need much-needed relief.
To file an appeal, recipients of Sassa must:
- Use the online form to apply for the Social Relief of Distress award.
- Since it matches that profile, create the first application using the ID or phone number.
- When accessing the form, enter the security PIN provided to that phone.
- When asked, choose “appeal” and then select the justification for the appeal from the list of alternatives.
- Following that, those who file an appeal must wait for an SMS message, which should arrive in three months or ninety days.
After ninety days, if the SMS notice is not received, the appeal status can be verified. Email [email protected] or phone 012 312 7727 to convey your question to DSD.