Foreign Nationals must be included in SASSA R350 grant High Court Orders Government
The High court in Pretoria has ordered government to include foreign nationals (asylum seekers and refugees) in South Africa in the COVID-19 unemployment grant.
The directive by the High Court is set to benefit asylum seekers and special permit holders from Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe
The directions by the Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu to exclude the asylum seekers and special permit holders from accessing the COVID-19 unemployment grant was declared unlawful.
Minister Lindiwe Zulu has been given five days to quantify the costs of extending the grant and another five days to publish amended regulations.
South African Security Agency to date has declined 2.8 million applications from 6.2 million applications.
SASSA announced that of the 3.2 million approved applications, 1.2 million applicants have been already paid.
R350 unemployment grant was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April as the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant is expected to be paid for consecutive 6 months.
Criteria for the R350 SASSA unemployment Grant
The High Court in Pretoria has oreded the Government of South Africa to include foreign nationals (asylum seekers and refugees) in South Africa in the COVID-19 unemployment grant.
Sassa CEO, Totsie Memela, reminded applicants of the criteria which would need to be met to qualify for the R350 SRD grant.
- Above the age of 18
- Unemployed
- Not receiving any income
- Not receiving any social grant
- Not receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits
- Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- Not a resident in a government funded or subsidized institution
How to apply for the R350 SASSA unemployment Grant
Here are the ways in which one can apply for the R350 unemployment grant:
- WhatsApp: 082 0468 553
- USSD or SMS line: *134*7737#
- Emails: [email protected]
- Call centre IVR: 0800 60 10 11
In its statement South African Security Agency SASSA revealed that applicants who saw their SASSA applications rejected can appeal.
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SASSA revealed that half of the R350 COVID-19 relief grant applications were rejected for not meeting grant criteria.
Sassa spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi explained that the R350 is meant for people without any form of income whatsoever.
We check with UIF, we check with other government agencies and we also check your bank account… we realise that this person has been getting money for the past six months.”
Letsatsi reiterated that the criteria for the R350 SRD grant was stringent and clear, to avoid abuse of the system sometimes referred to as ‘double-dipping’ and to ensure that special economic assistance was directed to those most-deserving in times of fierce financial distress.
How to appeal a R350 grant rejection
Many South Africans who claim to fit the R350 grant criteria argue that their applications have been denied or ignored. For these citizens, Letsatsi noted that an appeal system was being finalised in conjunction with the Department of Social Development.
While the appeal process is expected to be finalised and developed in the coming days, Letsatsi noted that aggrieved applicants could call 0800 60 10 11 or email [email protected] with their complaints.
Foreign Nationals must be included in SASSA R350 grant says High Court – Savannanews