Will foreigners get grants? Sassa weighs in on 'dangerous' claims circulating on social media
SASSA warns of social tension as false SRD grant claims spread online.
Image: File picture
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that its Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant policy has been amended to allow foreign nationals broader access to the grant, warning that the information is false and misleading.
Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency was concerned about growing public confusion sparked by online claims suggesting that asylum seekers and special permit holders were receiving South African taxpayers' money through newly amended regulations.
"This information is incorrect, misleading and may cause unnecessary confusion to social grant beneficiaries and the public at large," Letsatsi said.
He stressed that no changes had been made to the SRD grant framework.
"Sassa wishes to categorically state and put it on record that no policies or regulations have been amended regarding the Covid-19 SRD," Letsatsi said.
According to Sassa, any policy shifts related to social assistance fall under the authority of National Treasury and the Department of Social Development, neither of which announced changes during the recent budget processes.
"No such amendments were announced either by the Minister of Finance during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Nokuzola Tolashe during her Budget Vote Speech," Letsatsi said.
He added that should any changes be introduced in future, the public would be formally informed.
"Should there be any changes in our regulations, that will be announced by the Minister of Social Development, and the amended regulations will thus be published," Letsatsi said.
Sassa reiterated that eligibility for the Covid-19 SRD grant remains governed by regulations published in 2022.
These allow temporary assistance for persons with insufficient means who are South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, valid asylum seekers, or holders of specific special permits, provided they meet age, residency and income requirements.
As of January 1, the agency received 14,135 Covid-19 SRD applications from permanent residents, refugees and special permit holders, of which 8,368 were approved and 2,690 paid.
Letsatsi urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information related to social grants.
"Members of the public need to verify information through official Sassa and government channels before circulation," he said.
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