Unemployed and on medication but no help from Sassa claims local resident
Juan Berrios (32), a local resident, claims he has not received money owing to him from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in over a year since he no longer has his original identity document.
Juan, who claims to suffer from epilepsy and a manic bipolar condition, says he is battling to get his required medication and food because the Sassa office refuses to assist him.
“I am tired of begging for food and money. I am hungry, I want to work but a job is hard to come by,” says Juan.
He says he has filled in the necessary documentation in order to receive his Sassa grant but his ID was stolen and now he only has a certified copy of his ID.
“I can’t receive help from Sassa because I don’t have my original ID document. I have had the copy certified more than once but it’s not good enough,” claims Juan.
Juan, who lives in Geduld, says he can’t afford to go get a new ID because he doesn’t have money.
“I want to work. Begging for food is humiliating, but sometimes I have no choice because I get so hungry,” says Juan.
Juan says he is a qualified beauty therapist but since he cannot always get his medication it is difficult to find employment.
Nandi Mosia from the Springs Sassa office says, “Mr Berrios was awarded a temporary disability grant in March 2014 for a temporary period of 12 months in accordance with the Sassa medical assessment tool. This grant rightfully expired in February 2015. From this date of expiry there is no record indicating that the client reapplied as rightfully entitled to.”
Nandi also says that Juan has been issued with food parcels twice, even with the wrong documentation, and they are now insisting that he rectify his documents in order to receive further assistance.
