No Covid-19 relief for Durban pensioner
Durban resident appeals for help with Covid-19 Relief Fund application.
DEVASTATED and afraid, a Durban resident fears he may be forced to live on the streets due his crippling financial situation.
According to 58-year-old Michael McCarthy, he applied for the Covid-19 Relief Grant in May last year but has not received any payments since then.
Shedding some light on the challenging circumstances he has faced, an unemployed McCarthy said, “I had a hard time because everybody was receiving the money and they were declining my application. They said it was something to do with my identity document (ID). It took about six months and then in November, I went to the Sassa office in Umbogintwini. They said I must go to South African Revenue Service (SARS). SARS said there is nothing wrong as I have proof that I am not employed.”
He said he also went to the post office and they verified his ID number.
He thereafter went to Sassa where his application was declined due to an issue with his name.
McCarthy said he is devastated because he lost his job at the beginning of pandemic.
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“I don’t know how I’m going to pay the rent to my landlord. I stayed at the Upliftment Centre the whole of last year getting closer to the Lord. It’s so unfair and it’s hard for me. I am in big trouble because I’m not getting anything,” said McCarthy.
In response to McCarthy’s issue, Sassa said, “Those clients who had their R350 grant applications declined for the period from February to April 2021 may appeal by visiting https://SRD.sassa.gov.za. They can follow the links for reconsideration. If the appeal is not lodged, the declined application will not be reconsidered. The appeal period closes on 31 May 2021. No appeals will be accepted after this date.”
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