AFTER being turned away from the Pinetown South African Social Services Agency (SASSA) offices, two Waterfall pensioners have decided to go public and reveal details on the hardships they have endured while trying to apply for the Government’s pension grant.
Norman (75) and Helena Symonds (73) said they started applying for their grant in 2016 and were told that they do not qualify for the Government pension. Norman said this made them angry as they had been at the offices for two days.
“On the first day, we were told to go to the Home Affairs office to verify our IDs.”
He said on the second day, they sat there until closing time only to be told that they have too much money.
ALSO READ: Ashley couple must pay for water ‘down the drain’
Helena said their financial situation is deteriorating and they do need the pension money to survive.
“The company that manages all our investments told us that we are eligible for the pension money and that we should try again this year and gave us all the necessary documents.
“As a couple we get R12 034 a month and we do not own any property and according to their rules, a couple that receives less than R12 300 a month is eligible for the government’s pension,” she said.
The couple said they went back again this year only to be told the same thing, despite producing all the necessary documents.
They told the Highway Mail they have spoken to the supervisors to try and resolve this issue but every attempt seems to hit a brick wall.
DA member of parliament, Tim Brauteseth, spokesperson for Standing Committee for Public Accounts (SCOPA), said SASSA undertakes a means test that is standard to all pension grants applications.
ALSO READ: “We will starve” – SASSA grant beneficiaries
“A means test of this type will include a review of the applicant’s assets and income. If it is determined that an applicant’s financial position is above a minimum threshold, their application might be unsuccessful.”
Brauteseth said it is, however, difficult to comment on this case without all the relevant facts at hand.
“That said, a vital part of my job as a Member of Parliament is oversight of Government function. I therefore invite Norman and Helena Symonds to submit their info to me on scopa@saol.com and I will take the matter up a national level to ensure that their application has been dealt with in a fair manner and within the prescripts of the law,” he said.
The Highway Mail asked SASSA for a response, but no comment was received at the time of going to print.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
