Sassa is looking into Renato’s case
Filippi re-applied for a disability grant in September after the grant he had been receiving since 2004 was stopped in 2012.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Renato Filippi (33) from Rosettenville was born with brain damage and suffers from Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy in his right hand and foot.
Filippi re-applied for a disability grant in September after the grant he had been receiving since 2004 was stopped in 2012.
A directive from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was that Filippi must see a doctor to confirm his disability. “I went to see my doctor, when I returned, their doctor examined me as per the process. After a long wait. I received an unsuccessful letter stating that there is little if any, significant residual impairment affecting my ability to work and my occasional symptoms can be treated with medication.
“It was stated in the letter, that if I am not happy with the decision, I may lodge an application within 90 days of the application. I duly lodged a complaint,” he said.
Filippi said there is no medication or operation to assist with his condition and that he did receive his first grant from 2004 to 2012, with no issues.
He cannot grip or pick up anything with his right hand. “Very few companies are prepared to employ people with disabilities and I have been for various interviews and have been turned down. I cannot depend on other people to keep on helping me out of pity. My mother and father are both pensioners and are battling. I have no income to help in the house.”
Sassa spokesperson, Nandipha Mosia, responds:
“All applicants for disability related grants are required to submit evidence and history in support of their condition on the day of their appointment (this history or evidence is recorded on the referral form by the applicant’s treating source). Applicants are also requested to bring along their medication and any other reports in support of their conditions together with the completed referral form. The assessing doctor then makes a recommendation based on the evidence or history provided.
“All assessing doctors are trained in the assessment guidelines provided by Sassa. It should be noted that not all conditions, especially chronic conditions such as hypertension, epilepsy, HIV, chronic back pain to name a few, would qualify for a grant. If applicants are aggrieved by the outcome of their assessment or application, they are welcome to follow the redress mechanisms currently in place – the Internal Reconsideration Mechanism (IRM) and appeal application. The staff at the local office are able to assist applicants with the completion of these applications.
There was a misunderstanding by the client as to the lodging of an IRM, however this was addressed and the client’s parents will report to our Johannesburg Offices to address such.
