All South Africans have a Constitutional right to Social Security. This may be in the form of poverty alleviation through social grants, access to income-protection and access to life insurance and pensions.
According to South African Treasury: “Proposed reforms will lead to a significant increase in workers’ incomes in retirement by introducing a mandatory social security fund, by ensuring that workers preserve their pension accumulations until retirement.”
What kinds of grants are available in South Africa?
- Old Age
- War Veteran Grant
- Disability Grant
- Survivor Benefits
South African government has budgetary allocations set aside to meet the needs of the social security needs in South Africa. S
With more than 15 million South Africans relying on some form of social grant, government continues to face numerous challenges. The triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality continues to drive the operations of the Department of Social Development.
The introduction of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is one of the ways that government aims to meet with the demands of social security.
SASSA is responsible for the administration of the Social Security Fund in the country. Some of its responsibilities include:
- To administer, finance and pay social security transfers
- Develop and implement policies for efficient and effective social assistance benefits administration system
- Deliver innovative and cost-effective services to beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries through multiple access channels
- Pay the right grant to the right person at the right time and place
Individuals are able to apply at their nearest SASSA agency.
Grants include:
- Child Support at R330 per month
- Foster Child Grant at R860 per month
- Disability Grant at R1420 per month
- Grant-in-aid at R330 per month
- Older person’s grant at R1420 or R1430
- War veterans’ grant at R1430