Sassa news today lobby group speaks on srd grant payment issues

Here's a summary of the latest news on the Sassa SRD grant payment issues:

Sassa SRD Grant Payment Issues: Lobby Group Speaks Out

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has been facing numerous challenges in paying out the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants to eligible beneficiaries. A lobby group, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), has spoken out on the issues plaguing the grant payment process.

Key Issues:

  1. Delays in Payment: Sassa has been experiencing delays in paying out the SRD grants, leaving many beneficiaries without access to the vital financial assistance.
  2. Technical Issues: Technical glitches have been reported, causing difficulties in processing and paying out the grants.
  3. Lack of Communication: Beneficiaries have expressed frustration over the lack of communication from Sassa regarding the status of their applications and payment dates.
  4. Inadequate Funding: SAFTU has accused the government of not providing sufficient funding for Sassa, leading to the agency's inability to pay out the grants on time.

SAFTU's Demands:

  1. Immediate Payment of Outstanding Grants: SAFTU is demanding that Sassa pays out all outstanding SRD grants immediately.
  2. Increased Funding: The lobby group is calling for increased funding for Sassa to ensure that the agency can function effectively and pay out grants on time.
  3. Improved Communication: SAFTU is urging Sassa to improve communication with beneficiaries, providing regular updates on the status of their applications and payment dates.

Government Response:

The Department of Social Development has acknowledged the challenges faced by Sassa and has assured the public that measures are being taken to address the issues. However, SAFTU remains critical of the government's response, stating that more needs to be done to ensure that the SRD grants are paid out efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion:

The SRD grant payment issues have left many South Africans struggling to access the financial assistance they need. SAFTU's demands for immediate payment of outstanding grants, increased funding, and improved communication are reasonable and necessary to address the crisis. The government must take concrete steps to resolve these issues and ensure that the SRD grants are paid out on time and in full.