Reasons you could lose May 2024 SASSA Child Support grants

LOSE MAY 2024 SASSA CHILD SUPPORT GRANTS

Beneficiaries have expressed anxiety over what will happen if they lose May 2024 SASSA Child Support grants. The South African Social Security Agency is set to disburse all childcare payments next week on Tuesday 7 May 2024. These include Child Support, Care Dependency and Foster Child, plus the Top-Up scheme for orphaned children we reported on recently.

However, while the agency upped grants across the board last month, it did come with one major caveat. And it all comes down to money. After Social Relief of Distress (SRD), Child Support Grants go out to the most people in South Africa – 14 million – who each receive R530 per month.

MOST COMMON REASONS FOR SUSPENSION

SASSA has suspended more than 81 500 Child Support grants between April 2023 and January 2024. However, you don’t need to panic. If you have a minor in your care and receive SASSA Child Support the agency, by law, has to alert you three months before a review.

• The child has turned 18 years of age.
• The child has passed away.
• The child is now cared for in a state institution.
• Grants have not been collected for three consecutive months.
• The child is no longer in your care.
• If there is some sort of dispute over who the real primary caregiver of the child is. This will need to be investigated by the agency.
• If you fail to cooperate with the agency’s grant review in any way.
• If you misrepresented yourself in your application and have committed fraud.

MEANS TEST AND OTHER CONFUSION

According to a University of Cape Town study published via Children Count, it says the following are why some might lose May 2024 SASSA Child Support grants:

• Many are confused about eligibility requirements.
• Likewise, there is confusion over the means test.
• Your banking records must show your annual income is less than R105 600, or R8 800 per month (if married).
• And R52 800, or R4 400 per month (if single).
• If you have misrepresented yourself and exceed these amounts, you could lose your grant.
• Children Count says another major hurdle keeping parents from getting SASSA Child Support is a lack of documentation.
• This can either be personal identity documents or birth certificates of parent and child.
• While not a prerequisite for support, SASSA wants to see the child is in school and you need documentation to prove that.
• Finally, as the application cannot be done online, a major problem is lack of funds for transport to get to a SASSA office to apply or query an issue.

WHAT IF YOUR GRANT IS SUSPENDED?

If a beneficiary does lose May 2024 SASSA Child Support grants for any reason, they may appeal within 90 days. Follow the link HERE to download all the relevant forms to lodge an appeal. If you win, your SASSA Child Support grant will be reinstated.

A reminder that these are the remaining SASSA Children’s grant payment dates for the rest of the year:

• Tuesday 7 May 2024.
• Thursday 6 June 2024.
• Thursday 4 July 2024.
• Tuesday 6 August 2024.
• Thursday 5 September 2024.
• Friday 4 October 2024.
• Thursday 7 November 2024.
• Thursday 5 December 2024.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

The issue of beneficiaries potentially losing May 2024 SASSA Child Support grants is connected to SDG 1, which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The issue of documentation and proof of children being in school, which can affect the eligibility for Child Support Grants, is connected to SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues of eligibility requirements, means test confusion, and lack of documentation leading to the loss of Child Support Grants are connected to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

This target is relevant to the issue of beneficiaries potentially losing Child Support Grants. The article mentions that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is set to disburse childcare payments, including Child Support Grants. However, there are conditions and eligibility requirements that need to be met, and failure to meet these requirements can result in the loss of the grants.

Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

This target is relevant to the issue of documentation and proof of children being in school. The article mentions that SASSA wants to see that the child is in school, and documentation is required to prove this. Failure to provide the necessary documentation can affect the eligibility for Child Support Grants.

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

This target is relevant to the issues of eligibility requirements, means test confusion, and lack of documentation leading to the loss of Child Support Grants. These issues can create barriers and inequalities for beneficiaries in accessing and maintaining their grants.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

– Number of people receiving Child Support Grants: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 1.3, as it reflects the coverage of the poor and vulnerable through social protection systems.

– Number of Child Support Grants suspended: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 1.3, as it reflects the effectiveness of the review processes and the identification of irregular payments.

– Number of appeals lodged and granted for suspended Child Support Grants: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 1.3, as it reflects the accessibility and fairness of the appeal process for beneficiaries who have lost their grants.

– Number of children in school receiving Child Support Grants: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 4.1, as it reflects the inclusion of children in education through the support of Child Support Grants.

– Documentation proving children are in school: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 4.1, as it reflects the availability and accessibility of necessary documentation to prove children’s enrollment in school.

– Number of beneficiaries who lose Child Support Grants due to eligibility requirements: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 10.2, as it reflects the impact of eligibility requirements on the social and economic inclusion of beneficiaries.

– Number of beneficiaries who lose Child Support Grants due to means test confusion: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 10.2, as it reflects the need for clarity and understanding of means test requirements to ensure equal access to Child Support Grants.

– Number of beneficiaries who lose Child Support Grants due to lack of documentation: This indicator can measure progress towards Target 10.2, as it reflects the barriers faced by beneficiaries in obtaining and providing the necessary documentation for grant eligibility.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators